10622 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 33 / Monday, February 22, 2021 / Proposed Rule 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

Fish and Wildlife Service 

50 CFR Part 20 

[Docket No. FWS–HQ–MB–2020–0032; 

FF09M21200–212–FXMB1231099BPP0] 

RIN 1018–BE34 

Migratory Bird Hunting; Proposed 

2021–22 Frameworks, and Special 

Procedures for Issuance of Annual 

Hunting Regulations 

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, 

Interior. 

ACTION: Proposed rule; supplemental. 

SUMMARY: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service (Service or we) is proposing to 

establish the 2021–22 hunting 

regulations for certain migratory game 

birds, and make a minor change to the 

special procedures for issuance of 

annual hunting regulations. We 

annually prescribe outside limits, 

frameworks, within which States may 

select hunting seasons. Frameworks 

specify the outside dates, season 

lengths, shooting hours, bag and 

possession limits, and areas where 

migratory game bird hunting may occur. 

These frameworks are necessary to 

allow State selections of seasons and 

limits and to allow harvest at levels 

compatible with migratory game bird 

population status and habitat 

conditions. Migratory game bird hunting 

seasons provide opportunities for 

recreation and sustenance, and aid 

Federal, State, and Tribal governments 

in the management of migratory game 

birds. 

DATES: You must submit comments on 

the proposed migratory bird hunting 

frameworks and special procedures for 

issuance of annual hunting regulations 

by March 24, 2021. 

ADDRESSES: Comments: You may submit 

comments on the proposals by one of 

the following methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: http:// 

www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments 

on Docket No. FWS–HQ–MB–2020– 

0032. 

• U.S. Mail: Public Comments 

Processing, Attn: FWS–HQ–MB–2020– 

0032; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 

MS: JAO/3W, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls 

Church, VA 22041–3803. 

We will not accept emailed or faxed 

comments. We will post all comments 

on http://www.regulations.gov. This 

generally means that we will post any 

personal information you provide us 

(see Review of Public Comments and 

Flyway Council Recommendations, 

below, for more information). 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Jerome Ford, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service, Department of the Interior, 

(202) 208–1050. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 

process for promulgating annual 

regulations for the hunting of migratory 

game birds involves the publication of 

a series of proposed and final 

rulemaking documents. In this proposed 

rule, in addition to our normal 

procedure of setting forth proposed 

frameworks for the annual hunting 

regulations (described below), we are 

also proposing minor changes to the 

permanent regulations that govern the 

migratory bird hunting program. The 

annual regulations are set forth in 

subpart K of part 20 of the regulations 

in title 50 of the Code of Federal 

Regulations (CFR). In this document, we 

also propose minor changes to subpart 

N of 50 CFR part 20, as follows: 

Proposed Changes to Regulations at 50 

CFR Part 20 (Subpart N) 

The regulations governing special 

procedures for issuance of annual 

hunting regulations are at 50 CFR part 

20, subpart N. The rules of subpart N 

apply only to subpart K regarding the 

issuance of the annual regulations 

establishing seasons, bag limits, and 

other requirements for the seasonal 

hunting of migratory birds. 

In subpart N, the current regulations 

require that the Service publish a notice 

of meetings of the Service’s Regulations 

Committee and the Flyway Councils in 

the process of developing frameworks 

for migratory bird hunting seasons. 

Specifically, notice of each meeting of 

the Regulations Committee and Flyway 

Council to be attended by any official of 

the Department of the Interior will be 

published in the Federal Register at 

least 2 weeks before the meeting or as 

soon as practicable after the Service 

learns of the Flyway Council meeting. 

In addition to or in place of 

publishing a meeting notice in the 

Federal Register, we propose to add that 

we post on the Service’s Migratory Bird 

Program website as a method to notify 

the public of these meetings. We are 

proposing this change because it will 

increase our ability to provide more 

timely information as meeting 

information becomes available, and 

more flexibility to inform the public of 

changes in meeting dates and locations 

should such changes be necessary. 

Greater flexibility has become critical 

when unforeseen exigencies require 

venue changes for these meetings. 

Process for Establishing Annual 

Migratory Game Bird Hunting 

Regulations (Subpart K) 

As part of the Department of the 

Interior’s retrospective regulatory 

review, in 2015 we developed a 

schedule for migratory game bird 

hunting regulations that is more 

efficient and establishes hunting season 

dates earlier than was possible under 

the previous process. Under the current 

process, we develop proposed hunting 

season frameworks for a given year in 

the fall of the prior year. We then 

finalize those frameworks a few months 

later, thereby enabling the State 

agencies to select and publish their 

season dates in early summer. We 

provided a detailed overview of the 

current process in the August 3, 2017, 

Federal Register (82 FR 36308). This 

proposed rule is the second in a series 

of proposed and final rules that 

establish regulations for the 2021–22 

migratory bird-hunting season. 

Regulations Schedule for 2021 

On October 9, 2020, we published in 

the Federal Register (85 FR 64097) a 

proposal to amend 50 CFR part 20. The 

proposal provided a background and 

overview of the migratory bird hunting 

regulations process, and addressed the 

establishment of seasons, limits, and 

other regulations for hunting migratory 

game birds under §§ 20.101 through 

20.107, 20.109, and 20.110 of subpart K. 

This document is the second in a series 

of proposed and final rules for migratory 

game bird hunting regulations. Major 

steps in the 2021–22 regulatory cycle 

relating to open public meetings and 

Federal Register notifications were 

illustrated in the diagram at the end of 

the October 9, 2020, proposed rule. For 

this regulatory cycle, we have combined 

elements of the document that is 

described in the diagram as 

Supplemental Proposals with the 

document that is described as Proposed 

Season Frameworks. 

Further, in the October 9, 2020, 

proposed rule we explained that all 

sections of subsequent documents 

outlining hunting frameworks and 

guidelines would be organized under 

numbered headings, which were set 

forth at 85 FR 64097. This and 

subsequent documents will refer only to 

numbered items requiring attention. We 

will omit those items not requiring 

attention, and remaining numbered 

items may be discontinuous and appear 

incomplete. 

We provided the meeting dates and 

locations for the Service Regulations 

Committee (SRC) and Flyway Council 

meetings on Flyway calendars posted on 


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our website at https://www.fws.gov/ 

birds/management/flyways.php. We 

announced the April SRC meeting in the 

April 9, 2020, Federal Register (84 FR 

14130). The October 9, 2020, proposed 

rule provided detailed information on 

the proposed 2021–22 regulatory 

schedule and announced the October 

SRC meeting. The SRC conducted an 

open meeting with the Flyway Council 

Consultants on April 28, 2020, to 

discuss preliminary issues for the 2021– 

22 regulations, and on October 20–21, 

2020, to review information on the 

current status of migratory game birds 

and develop recommendations for the 

2021–22 regulations for these species. 

This supplemental proposed rule 

provides the regulatory alternatives for 

the 2021–22 duck hunting season, and 

provides proposed frameworks for the 

2021–22 migratory bird hunting season. 

It will lead to final frameworks from 

which States may select season dates, 

shooting hours, areas, and limits. We 

have considered all pertinent comments 

received through October 2020, which 

includes comments submitted in 

response to our October 9 proposed 

rulemaking document and comments 

from the October SRC meeting. In 

addition, new proposals for certain 

regulations are provided for public 

comment. The comment period is 

specified above under DATES. We 

anticipate publishing final regulatory 

frameworks for migratory game bird 

hunting in the Federal Register around 

February 2021. 

Population Status and Harvest 

Each year we publish reports that 

provide detailed information on the 

status and harvest of certain migratory 

game bird species. These reports are 

available at the address indicated under 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT or 

from our website at https://

www.fws.gov/birds/surveys-and-data/ 

reports-and-publications/populationstatus.php. 

We used the following annual reports 

published in August 2020 in the 

development of proposed frameworks 

for the migratory bird hunting 

regulations: Adaptive Harvest 

Management, 2021 Hunting Season; 

American Woodcock Population Status, 

2020; Band-tailed Pigeon Population 

Status, 2020; Migratory Bird Hunting 

Activity and Harvest During the 2018– 

19 and 2019–20 Hunting Seasons; 

Mourning Dove Population Status, 2020; 

Status and Harvests of Sandhill Cranes, 

Mid-continent, Rocky Mountain, Lower 

Colorado River Valley and Eastern 

Populations, 2020; and Waterfowl 

Population Status, 2020. 

Our long-term objectives continue to 

include providing opportunities to 

harvest portions of certain migratory 

game bird populations and to limit 

harvests to levels compatible with each 

population’s ability to maintain healthy, 

viable numbers. Migratory game bird 

hunting seasons provide opportunities 

for recreation and sustenance, and aid 

Federal, State, and Tribal governments 

in the management of migratory game 

birds. Having taken into account the 

zones of temperature and the 

distribution, abundance, economic 

value, breeding habits, and times and 

lines of flight of migratory birds, we 

conclude that the proposed hunting 

seasons provided for herein are 

compatible with the current status of 

migratory bird populations and longterm population goals. Additionally, we 

are obligated to, and do, give serious 

consideration to all information 

received during the public comment 

period. 

Review of Public Comments and 

Flyway Council Recommendations 

The preliminary proposed 

rulemaking, which appeared in the 

October 9, 2020, Federal Register, 

opened the public comment period for 

migratory game bird hunting regulations 

and described the proposed regulatory 

alternatives for the 2021–22 duck 

hunting season. Comments and 

recommendations are summarized 

below and numbered in the order used 

in the October 9, 2020, proposed rule 

(see 85 FR 64097). 

We received recommendations from 

all four Flyway Councils at the April 

and October SRC meetings; all 

recommendations are from the October 

meeting unless otherwise noted. Some 

recommendations supported 

continuation of last year’s frameworks. 

Due to the comprehensive nature of the 

annual review of the frameworks 

performed by the Councils, support for 

continuation of last year’s frameworks is 

assumed for items for which no 

recommendations were received. 

Council recommendations for changes 

in the frameworks are summarized 

below. As explained earlier in this 

document, we have included only the 

numbered items pertaining to issues for 

which we received recommendations. 

Consequently, the issues do not follow 

in successive numerical order. 

We seek additional information and 

comments on the recommendations in 

this supplemental proposed rule. New 

proposals and modifications to 

previously described proposals are 

discussed below. Wherever possible, 

they are discussed under headings 

corresponding to the numbered items in 

the October 9, 2020, proposed rule. 

General 

Written Comments: Several 

commenters protested the entire 

migratory bird hunting regulations 

process, the killing of all migratory 

birds, and questioned the status and 

habitat data on which the migratory bird 

hunting regulations are based. 

Service Response: As we indicated 

above under Population Status and 

Harvest, our long-term objectives 

continue to include providing 

opportunities to harvest portions of 

certain migratory game bird populations 

and to limit harvests to levels 

compatible with each population’s 

ability to maintain healthy, viable 

numbers. Sustaining migratory bird 

populations and ensuring a variety of 

sustainable uses, including harvest, is 

consistent with the guiding principles 

by which migratory birds are to be 

managed under the conventions 

between the United States and several 

foreign nations for the protection and 

management of these birds. We have 

taken into account available information 

and considered public comments and 

continue to conclude that the hunting 

seasons provided for herein are 

compatible with the current status of 

migratory bird populations and longterm population goals. In regard to the 

regulations process, the Flyway Council 

system of migratory bird management 

has been a longstanding example of 

State-Federal cooperative management 

since its establishment in 1952 in 

regulation development process and 

bird population and habitat monitoring. 

However, as always, we continue to 

seek new ways to streamline and 

improve the process and ensure 

adequate conservation of the resource. 

1. Ducks 

A. General Harvest Strategy 

Council Recommendations: The 

Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and 

Pacific Flyway Councils recommended 

adoption of the liberal regulatory 

alternative for their respective flyways. 

Service Response: As we stated in the 

October 9, 2020, proposed rule, we 

intend to continue use of Adaptive 

Harvest Management (AHM) to help 

determine appropriate duck-hunting 

regulations for the 2021–22 season. 

AHM is a tool that permits sound 

resource decisions in the face of 

uncertain regulatory impacts and 

provides a mechanism for reducing that 

uncertainty over time. We use an AHM 

protocol (decision framework) to 

evaluate four regulatory alternatives, 


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each with a different expected harvest 

level, and choose the optimal regulation 

for duck hunting based on the status 

and demographics of mallards for the 

Mississippi, Central, and Pacific 

Flyways, and based on the status and 

demographics of a suite of four species 

(eastern waterfowl) in the Atlantic 

Flyway (see below, and the earlier 

referenced report ‘‘Adaptive Harvest 

Management, 2021 Hunting Season’’ for 

more details). We have specific AHM 

protocols that guide appropriate bag 

limits and season lengths for species of 

special concern, including black ducks, 

scaup, and pintails, within the general 

duck season. These protocols use the 

same outside season dates and lengths 

as those regulatory alternatives for the 

2021–22 general duck season. 

For the 2021–22 hunting season, we 

will continue to use independent 

optimizations to determine the 

appropriate regulatory alternative for 

mallard stocks in the Mississippi, 

Central, and Pacific Flyways and for 

eastern waterfowl in the Atlantic 

Flyway. This means that we will 

develop regulations for mid-continent 

mallards, western mallards, and eastern 

waterfowl independently based on the 

breeding stock(s) that contributes 

primarily to each Flyway. We detailed 

implementation of AHM protocols for 

mid-continent and western mallards in 

the July 24, 2008, Federal Register (73 

FR 43290), and for eastern waterfowl in 

the September 21, 2018, Federal 

Register (83 FR 47868). 

We also stated in the October 9, 2020, 

proposed rule, that the coronavirus 

prevented the Service and their partners 

from performing the Waterfowl 

Breeding Population and Habitat Survey 

(WBPHS) and estimating waterfowl 

breeding abundances and habitat 

conditions in the spring of 2020. As a 

result, AHM protocols have been 

adjusted to inform decisions on duck 

hunting regulations based on model 

predictions of breeding abundances and 

habitat conditions. In most cases, 

system models specific to each AHM 

decision framework have been used to 

predict breeding abundances from the 

available information (e.g., 2019 

observations). However, for some 

system state variables (i.e., pond 

numbers and mean latitude) we have 

used updated time series models to 

forecast 2020 values based on the most 

recent information. These technical 

adjustments are described in detail in 

the report entitled ‘‘Adaptive Harvest 

Management, 2021 Hunting Season’’ 

referenced above under Population 

Status and Harvest. 

Atlantic Flyway 

For the Atlantic Flyway, we set duckhunting regulations based on the status 

and demographics of a suite of four 

duck species (eastern waterfowl) in 

eastern Canada and the Atlantic Flyway 

States: Green-winged teal, common 

goldeneye, ring-necked duck, and wood 

duck. For purposes of the assessment, 

eastern waterfowl stocks are those 

breeding in eastern Canada and Maine 

(Federal WBPHS fixed-wing surveys in 

strata 51–53, 56, and 62–70, and 

helicopter plot surveys in strata 51–52, 

63–64, 66–68, and 70–72) and in 

Atlantic Flyway States from New 

Hampshire south to Virginia (Atlantic 

Flyway Breeding Waterfowl Survey, 

AFBWS). Abundance estimates for 

green-winged teal, ring-necked ducks, 

and goldeneyes are derived annually by 

integrating fixed-wing and helicopter 

survey data from eastern Canada and 

Maine (WBPHS strata 51–53, 56, and 

62–72). Counts of green-winged teal, 

ring-necked ducks, and goldeneyes in 

the AFBWS are negligible and therefore 

excluded from population estimates for 

those species. Abundance estimates for 

wood ducks in the Atlantic Flyway 

(Maine south to Florida) are estimated 

by integrating data from the AFBWS and 

the North American Breeding Bird 

Survey. Counts of wood ducks from the 

WBPHS are negligible and therefore 

excluded from population estimates. 

For the 2021–22 hunting season, we 

evaluated alternative harvest regulations 

for eastern waterfowl using: (1) A 

management objective of 98 percent of 

maximum long-term sustainable harvest 

for eastern waterfowl; (2) the 2021–22 

regulatory alternatives; and (3) current 

stock-specific population models and 

associated weights. Based on the liberal 

regulatory alternative selected for the 

2020–21 duck hunting season, the 2020 

model predictions of 0.35 million greenwinged teal, 0.94 million wood ducks, 

0.70 million ring-necked ducks, and 

0.58 million goldeneyes, the optimal 

regulation for the Atlantic Flyway is the 

liberal alternative. Therefore, we concur 

with the recommendation of the 

Atlantic Flyway Council regarding 

selection of the liberal regulatory 

alternative as described in the October 

9, 2020, proposed rule for the 2021–22 

season. 

The mallard bag limit in the Atlantic 

Flyway is based on a separate 

assessment of the harvest potential of 

eastern mallards (see xi. Other, below, 

for further discussion on the mallard 

bag limit in the Atlantic Flyway). 

Mississippi and Central Flyways 

For the Mississippi and Central 

Flyways, we set duck-hunting 

regulations based on the status and 

demographics of mid-continent 

mallards and habitat conditions (pond 

numbers in Prairie Canada). For 

purposes of the assessment, midcontinent mallards are those breeding in 

central North America (Federal WBPHS 

strata 13–18, 20–50, and 75–77), and in 

Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin 

(State surveys). 

For the 2021–22 hunting season, we 

evaluated alternative harvest regulations 

for mid-continent mallards using: (1) A 

management objective of maximum 

long-term sustainable harvest; (2) the 

2021–22 regulatory alternatives; and (3) 

current population models and 

associated weights. Based on a liberal 

regulatory alternative selected for the 

2020–21 hunting season, the 2020 

model predictions of 9.07 million midcontinent mallards and 3.40 million 

ponds in Prairie Canada, the optimal 

regulation for the Mississippi and 

Central Flyways is the liberal 

alternative. Therefore, we concur with 

the recommendations of the Mississippi 

and Central Flyway Councils regarding 

selection of the liberal regulatory 

alternative as described in the October 

9, 2020, proposed rule for the 2021–22 

season. 

Pacific Flyway 

For the Pacific Flyway, we set duckhunting regulations based on the status 

and demographics of western mallards. 

For purposes of the assessment, western 

mallards consist of two substocks and 

are those breeding in Alaska and Yukon 

Territory (Federal WBPHS strata 1–12) 

and those breeding in the southern 

Pacific Flyway including California, 

Oregon, Washington, and British 

Columbia (State and Provincial surveys) 

combined. 

For the 2021–22 hunting season, we 

evaluated alternative harvest regulations 

for western mallards using: (1) A 

management objective of maximum 

long-term sustainable harvest; (2) the 

2021–22 regulatory alternatives; and (3) 

the current population model. Based on 

a liberal regulatory alternative selected 

for the 2020–21 hunting season, the 

2020 model predictions of 0.94 million 

western mallards in Alaska and the 

Yukon Territory (0.41 million) and the 

southern Pacific Flyway (0.53 million), 

the optimal regulation for the Pacific 

Flyway is the liberal alternative. 

Therefore, we concur with the 

recommendation of the Pacific Flyway 

Council regarding selection of the 

liberal regulatory alternative as 


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described in the October 9, 2020, 

proposed rule for the 2021–22 season. 

B. Regulatory Alternatives 

Council Recommendations: At the 

April SRC meeting, the Atlantic, 

Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyway 

Councils recommended that AHM 

regulatory alternatives for duck hunting 

seasons in 2021–22 remain the same as 

those used in the previous year with one 

exception that we agreed to in 2020: 

Moving the opening framework date to 

1 week earlier in the restrictive 

regulatory alternative for the Mississippi 

and Central Flyways beginning with the 

2021–22 season based on their 

recommendations (85 FR 15870; March 

19, 2020). The Central Flyway Council 

further recommended at the April SRC 

meeting that the bag limit for male 

mallards in the moderate and liberal 

regulatory alternatives for the Central 

Flyway be increased by one bird, so that 

the male mallard bag limit would be the 

same as the overall duck bag limit of six 

ducks. This recommendation is in 

opposition to Mississippi Flyway 

Council’s recommendation that AHM 

regulatory alternatives for duck hunting 

seasons in 2021–22 remain the same as 

those used in the previous year with the 

exception noted above. 

Service Response: Consistent with 

Flyway Council recommendations in 

April and the Flyway Council 

recommendations we earlier adopted in 

the August 21, 2020, final rule (85 FR 

51854) for the 2021–22 duck season, the 

AHM regulatory alternatives proposed 

for the Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, 

and Pacific Flyways in the October 9, 

2020, proposed rule (85 FR 64097) will 

be used for the 2021–22 hunting season 

(see accompanying table at the end of 

that document for specific information). 

The AHM regulatory alternatives consist 

only of the maximum season lengths, 

framework dates, and bag limits for total 

ducks and mallards. Restrictions for 

certain species within these frameworks 

that are not covered by existing harvest 

strategies will be addressed elsewhere 

in these proposed frameworks. For those 

species with specific harvest strategies 

(pintails, black ducks, and scaup), those 

strategies will again be used for the 

2021–22 hunting season. 

Last year, we considered proposals for 

mid-continent mallard duck regulations 

from the Central and Mississippi 

Flyways, which differed in the number 

of drake mallards in the daily bag limit. 

The recommendations from the two 

Councils in April are the same with 

regard to the bag limit for drake 

mallards as those we addressed in 2020 

(85 FR 51854; August 21, 2020). Since 

the recommendations have not changed, 

our decision also has not changed. 

Because mid-continent mallards are 

shared between the two Flyways, the 

two Flyways need to work together to 

create a suite of regulatory alternatives 

to which both can agree. Since such an 

agreement between the flyways has not 

yet been reached, the Service supports 

mallard bag limits for the 2021–22 

season that are the same as those from 

the 2020–21 season where the two 

Councils were last in agreement (i.e., no 

change). 

C. Zones and Split Seasons 

Zones and split seasons are ‘‘special 

regulations’’ designed to distribute 

hunting opportunities and harvests 

according to temporal, geographic, and 

demographic variability in waterfowl 

and other migratory game bird 

populations. For ducks, States have 

been allowed the option of dividing 

their allotted hunting days into two (or 

in some cases three) segments (splits) to 

take advantage of species-specific peaks 

of abundance or to satisfy hunters in 

different areas who want to hunt during 

the peak of waterfowl abundance in 

their area. We discussed and presented 

guidelines for duck zones and split 

seasons during 2021–25 seasons in the 

August 21, 2020, final rule (85 FR 

51857). Also at that time, based on a 

Flyway Council recommendation, we 

extended the deadline for States to 

select their zone and split-season 

configurations and to define potential 

new zone boundaries for the 2021–25 

seasons from May 1, 2020, to August 15, 

2020. 

Council Recommendations: The 

Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway 

Councils recommended that States be 

allowed an additional year to select 

their zone and split-season 

configurations and to define potential 

new zone boundaries for the 2021–25 

seasons, and that those selections would 

remain in effect for 4 years (2022–25). 

At the April SRC meeting, the Pacific 

Flyway Council recommended that 

Alaska be allowed to move their twosegment season option from the Kodiak 

zone to the Southeast Zone and retain 

grandfathered status (5 zones and 1 zone 

with a split season). 

Service Response: We agree with the 

Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway 

Councils’ recommendation to allow 

States an additional opportunity to 

select their duck zone and split-season 

configurations and to define potential 

new zone boundaries for the 5-year 

period originally planned for the 2021– 

25 seasons. This opportunity will apply 

only to States that have not yet made a 

change in their zone and split-season 

configurations for the 2021–25 seasons, 

and these selections would remain in 

effect for the 2022–25 seasons. The 

deadline for States to select their zone 

and split-season configuration and to 

define potential new zone boundaries 

for the 2022–25 seasons is May 1, 2021, 

but we encourage States to submit their 

selections and zone boundaries as soon 

as possible. The guidelines for duck 

zones and split seasons during 2022–25 

seasons will remain the same as those 

established in the August 21, 2020, final 

rule (85 FR 51857). Any State that 

selects the new configuration allowed 

by the Service beginning with the 2021– 

22 season (i.e., two zones with three 

segments in each zone) must conduct an 

evaluation of the impacts of zones and 

splits on hunter dynamics (e.g., hunter 

numbers, satisfaction) and harvest. 

We are agreeable to allow States an 

additional opportunity to select their 

zone and split-season configurations 

because some States were planning 

public input meetings during early 

spring 2020 to gather additional input 

prior to making their selection for the 

2021–25 seasons. However, due to the 

coronavirus, those public meetings were 

cancelled, so States were unable to 

gather that input. However, in the 

future, we expect to adhere to our 

established guidelines that restrict the 

frequency of changes in State selection 

among these configurations to open 

seasons at the beginning of five-year 

intervals. This is necessary to increase 

our ability to detect the impacts of zones 

and splits on waterfowl demographics 

and harvest. Substantial concern 

remains about the unknown 

consequences of zones and split seasons 

on duck populations and harvest 

redistribution among States and 

flyways, potential reduced effectiveness 

of regulations (season length and bag 

limit) to reduce duck harvest if needed, 

and the administrative burden 

associated with changing regulations 

annually. 

After this open period, the next 

regularly scheduled open season for 

changes to zone and split-season 

configurations will be in 2026, for use 

during the 2026–30 seasons. In order to 

allow sufficient time for States to solicit 

public input regarding their selections 

of zone and split season configurations 

in 2026, we will reaffirm the criteria 

during the 2025 season regulations 

process. At that time, we will notify 

States that changes to zone and splitseason configurations should be 

provided to the Service by May 1, 2026. 

We also agree with the Pacific Flyway 

Council’s recommendation that Alaska 

be allowed to move their two-segment 

season option from the Kodiak zone to 

the Southeast Zone and retain 


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grandfathered status. The current 

guidelines indicate that only minor (less 

than a county in size) boundary changes 

will be allowed for any grandfathered 

arrangement. Although this is not a 

boundary change, the transfer of the 

split to a different, existing zone is 

simply a reconfiguration of the 

grandfathered zone and split structure, 

and the change is expected to have 

negligible impacts to duck population 

status and harvest. However, because 

the intent of zone and split regulations 

is not to affect harvest distribution, the 

State of Alaska will be required to 

provide the Service with an evaluation 

of impacts to duck harvest and hunter 

dynamics (e.g., hunter numbers, hunter 

success, hunter satisfaction, etc.) during 

the fixed five-year period it is 

implemented (e.g., 2021–25 period), and 

are encouraged to involve a human 

dimensions specialist in the assessment. 

This review should assist the Service in 

ascertaining whether major undesirable 

changes in harvest occurred or hunter 

participation improved as a result of the 

regulation change. 

D. Special Seasons/Species 

Management 

i. September Teal Seasons 

Because a spring 2020 abundance 

estimate from the WBPHS for bluewinged teal was not available, we used 

time series models to predict their 

abundance. The predicted estimate was 

5.83 million birds. Because this estimate 

is greater than 4.7 million birds, the teal 

season guidelines indicate that a 16-day 

special September teal season with a 6- 

teal daily bag limit is appropriate for 

States in the Atlantic, Mississippi and 

Central flyways. Further, the guidelines 

indicate that in Florida, Kentucky, and 

Tennessee, in lieu of a 16-day special 

September teal season, a 5-day special 

September teal–wood duck season with 

a daily bag limit of 6 birds in the 

aggregate, of which no more than 2 may 

be wood ducks, is appropriate. In 

addition, a 4-day special September teal 

season with a 6-teal daily bag limit, 

either immediately before or 

immediately after the 5-day teal–wood 

duck season, is appropriate. 

Council Recommendations: The 

Mississippi Flyway Council 

recommended that Minnesota be 

allowed to conduct an experimental 

special September teal season for a 3- 

year period beginning in 2021 or 2022 

following the framework for all other 

States in the Mississippi Flyway. 

Service Response: As we described in 

the August 28, 2014, Federal Register 

(79 FR 51402), the Flyway Councils and 

Service completed a thorough 

assessment of the harvest potential for 

teal (blue-winged, green-winged, and 

cinnamon), as well as an assessment of 

the impacts of current special 

September seasons on these three 

species. The assessment indicated that 

additional hunting opportunity could be 

provided for teal. Therefore, we 

supported recommendations from the 

Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central 

Flyway Councils to establish new 

hunting seasons (e.g., September teal 

seasons in northern States) and 

expanded hunting opportunities (e.g., 

season lengths, bag limits) in States with 

existing teal seasons. Further, we 

confirmed that we were willing to 

consider proposals to conduct 

experimental September teal seasons in 

northern (production) States if fully 

evaluated for impacts to teal and 

nontarget species. We also provided 

criteria for evaluation of these 

experimental seasons. Thus, we agree 

with the Mississippi Flyway Council’s 

recommendation to allow an 

experimental special September teal 

season in Minnesota beginning in 2020 

or 2021. 

We earlier approved a 3-year 

experimental season in Minnesota 

beginning in 2014. However, Minnesota 

opted out of the experiment at that time. 

The criteria established in 2014 

regarding the experimental season and 

transition to operational status will 

again apply (see 79 FR 51403, August 

28, 2014). In addition, we clarify that 

criteria for operational status must be 

met by Minnesota’s experimental season 

results alone, and not in combination 

with data from other States. We will 

work with Minnesota to develop an 

evaluation plan and associated 

memorandum of agreement (MOA) for 

this experiment detailing the required 

sample sizes, decision criteria for the 

experimental season to become 

operational, and roles and 

responsibilities. The plan will consist of 

a 3-year evaluation of hunter 

performance (via spy blind studies) with 

regard to attempt and kill rates on 

nontarget species during the 

experimental September teal season. 

ii. September Teal–Wood Duck Seasons 

Using band-recovery data for birds 

banded in summer and fall 2019 and 

harvested during the 2019–20 hunting 

season, we estimated kill rates for adult 

male wood ducks in the eastern United 

States to be 0.112 (range-wide) and 

0.119 (northern birds only). These 

values are below those in which 

analyses suggest bag limit restrictions 

may be needed (range-wide = 0.166; 

northern birds = 0.143). These results, 

combined with the predicted bluewinged teal estimate reported above 

indicate a 5-day September teal–wood 

duck season with a daily bag limit of 6 

birds in the aggregate, of which no more 

than 2 may be wood ducks, is 

appropriate in Florida, Kentucky, and 

Tennessee for the 2021–22 season. 

iii. Black Ducks 

Council Recommendations: The 

Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway 

Councils recommended continued use 

of the AHM protocol for black ducks, 

and adoption of the moderate regulatory 

alternative for their respective flyways. 

The Flyway-specific regulations consist 

of a daily bag limit of two black ducks 

and a season length of 60 days. 

Service Response: The Service, 

Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway 

Councils, and Canada adopted an 

international AHM protocol for black 

ducks in 2012 (77 FR 49868; August 17, 

2012) whereby we set black duck 

hunting regulations for the Atlantic and 

Mississippi Flyways (and Canada) based 

on the status and demographics of these 

birds. The AHM protocol clarifies 

country-specific target harvest levels, 

and reduces conflicts over regulatory 

policies. 

For the 2021–22 hunting season, we 

evaluated country-specific alternative 

harvest regulations using: (1) A 

management objective of 98 percent of 

maximum long-term sustainable 

harvest; (2) country-specific regulatory 

alternatives; and (3) current population 

models and associated weights. Based 

on the moderate regulatory alternative 

selected for the 2020–21 hunting season 

and the 2020 model predictions of 0.50 

million breeding black ducks and 0.39 

million breeding mallards (Federal 

WBPHS strata 51, 52, 63, 64, 66, 67, 68, 

70, 71, and 72; core survey area), the 

optimal regulation for the Atlantic and 

Mississippi Flyways is the moderate 

alternative (and the liberal alternative in 

Canada). Therefore, we concur with the 

recommendations of the Atlantic and 

Mississippi Flyway Councils. 

iv. Canvasbacks 

Council Recommendations: The 

Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and 

Pacific Flyway Councils recommended 

adoption of the liberal regulatory 

alternative for their respective flyways. 

The Flyway-specific regulations consist 

of a daily bag limit of two canvasbacks 

and a season length of 60 days in the 

Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways, 74 

days in the Central Flyway, and 107 

days in the Pacific Flyway. 

Service Response: As we discussed in 

the March 28, 2016, Federal Register 

(81 FR 17302), the canvasback harvest 

strategy that we had relied on until 2015 


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was not viable under our new regulatory 

process because it required biological 

information that was not yet available at 

the time a decision on season structure 

needed to be made. We do not yet have 

a new harvest strategy to propose for use 

in guiding canvasback harvest 

management in the future. However, we 

have worked with technical staff of the 

four Flyway Councils to develop a 

decision framework (hereafter, decision 

support tool) that relies on the best 

biological information available to 

develop recommendations for annual 

canvasback harvest regulations. The 

decision support tool uses available 

information (1994–2014) on canvasback 

breeding population size in Alaska and 

north-central North America (Federal 

WBPHS traditional survey area, strata 

1–18, 20–50, and 75–77), growth rate, 

survival, and harvest, and a population 

model to evaluate alternative harvest 

regulations based on a management 

objective of maximum long-term 

sustainable harvest. The decision 

support tool calls for a closed season 

when the population is below 460,000, 

a 1-bird daily bag limit when the 

population is between 460,000 and 

480,000, and a 2-bird daily bag limit 

when the population is greater than 

480,000. Because abundance estimates 

were not available from the WBPHS, we 

used two different methods to predict 

canvasback abundance during spring 

2020. One used a population model 

initially developed in the 1990s, and the 

other used the time series of recent 

abundances from the WBPHS. Based on 

the resulting predictions of 550,799 and 

671,280 canvasbacks, respectively, for 

the two approaches, we concur with the 

recommendations of the four Flyway 

Councils regarding selection of the 

liberal regulatory alternative for the 

2021–22 season. 

v. Pintails 

Council Recommendations: The 

Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and 

Pacific Flyway Councils recommended 

adoption of the liberal regulatory 

alternative with a 1-pintail daily bag 

limit for their respective flyways. The 

Flyway-specific regulations consist of a 

season length of 60 days in the Atlantic 

and Mississippi Flyways, 74 days in the 

Central Flyway, and 107 days in the 

Pacific Flyway. 

Service Response: The Service and 

four Flyway Councils adopted an AHM 

protocol for pintail in 2010 (75 FR 

44856; July 29, 2010) whereby we set 

pintail hunting regulations in all four 

Flyways based on the status and 

demographics of these birds. 

For the 2021–22 hunting season, we 

evaluated alternative harvest regulations 

for pintails using: (1) A management 

objective of maximum long-term 

sustainable harvest, including a closedseason constraint of 1.75 million birds; 

(2) the regulatory alternatives; and (3) 

current population models and 

associated weights. Based on a liberal 

regulatory alternative with a 1-bird daily 

bag limit for the 2020–21 season, and 

the 2020 model predictions of 2.45 

million pintails with the center of the 

population predicted to occur at a mean 

latitude of 55.2 degrees (Federal WBPHS 

traditional survey area, strata 1–18, 20– 

50, and 75–77), the optimal regulation 

for all four Flyways is the liberal 

alternative with a 1-pintail daily bag 

limit. Therefore, we concur with the 

recommendations of the four Flyway 

Councils. 

vi. Scaup 

Council Recommendations: The 

Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and 

Pacific Flyway Councils recommended 

adoption of the restrictive regulatory 

alternative for the 2021–22 season. The 

Flyway-specific regulations consist of a 

60-day season with a 1-bird daily bag 

limit during 40 consecutive days and a 

2-bird daily bag limit during 20 

consecutive days in the Atlantic 

Flyway, a 60-day season with a 2-bird 

daily bag limit during 45 consecutive 

days and a 1-bird daily bag limit during 

15 consecutive days in the Mississippi 

Flyway, a 1-bird daily bag limit for 74 

days in the Central Flyway (which may 

have separate segments of 39 days and 

35 days), and an 86-day season with a 

2-bird daily bag limit in the Pacific 

Flyway. Also, at the April SRC meeting, 

the Mississippi Flyway Council 

recommended that the restrictive 

regulatory alternative for scaup in the 

Mississippi Flyway be a season of 60 

days with a daily bag limit of 2 scaup. 

Service Response: The Service and 

four Flyway Councils adopted an AHM 

protocol for scaup in 2008 (73 FR 43290, 

July 24, 2008; and 73 FR 51124, August 

29, 2008) whereby we set scaup hunting 

regulations in all four Flyways based on 

the status and demographics of these 

birds. 

For the 2021–22 hunting season, we 

evaluated alternative harvest regulations 

for scaup using: (1) A management 

objective of 95 percent of maximum 

sustainable harvest; (2) the regulatory 

alternatives; and (3) the current 

population model. Based on a moderate 

regulatory alternative for the 2020–21 

season, and the 2020 model prediction 

of 3.53 million scaup (Federal WBPHS 

traditional survey area, strata 1–18, 20– 

50, and 75–77), the optimal regulation 

for all four Flyways is the restrictive 

alternative. Therefore, we concur with 

the recommendations of the four Flyway 

Councils regarding selection of the 

restrictive alternative for the 2021–22 

season. 

We do not support the Mississippi 

Flyway Council’s recommendation to 

revise the restrictive scaup regulatory 

alternative for the Mississippi Flyway to 

include a 60-day season with a 2-bird 

daily bag limit. The scaup harvest 

strategy prescribes allowable harvest 

limits for each flyway. In 2009, we 

accepted the Mississippi Flyway 

Council’s recommendation for a hybrid 

season with 45 days at a 2-bird daily bag 

limit and 15 days at a 1-bird daily bag 

under the restrictive alternative to stay 

within allowable harvest limits. We do 

not support the current 

recommendation because it is outside 

the normal process for revising national 

harvest strategies, which involves 

working with the Service and Flyway 

Councils through the Harvest 

Management Working Group. Further, 

predicted harvest under this 

recommendation would exceed the 

harvest threshold established for the 

Mississippi Flyway restrictive 

alternative, as we previously indicated 

in 2008 when we received a similar 

recommendation. We note the 

Mississippi Flyway Council observation 

that realized harvests in the Mississippi 

Flyway have exceeded thresholds in 

other years, but do not agree that 

because that has occurred the 

alternative should be replaced with one 

that explicitly exceeds the threshold. 

We encourage the Mississippi Flyway 

Council to work with the other Flyway 

Councils through the Harvest 

Management Working Group to review 

and possibly revise the current scaup 

harvest strategy as appropriate, similar 

to the process that is underway for the 

pintail harvest strategy. 

xi. Other 

Council Recommendations: The 

Atlantic Flyway Council recommended 

a mallard daily bag limit of two birds, 

only one of which could be female, for 

the Atlantic Flyway. At the April SRC 

meeting, the Central Flyway Council 

presented an evaluation plan in support 

of their earlier recommendation that the 

Service allow South Dakota and 

Nebraska to evaluate a two-tier 

regulations system, wherein two 

different types of regulations would be 

available to hunters to harvest ducks (85 

FR 51857, August 21, 2020). 

Service Response: We agree with the 

Atlantic Flyway Council’s 

recommendation for a mallard daily bag 

limit of two birds, of which only one 

may be female, for the Atlantic Flyway. 

The Atlantic Flyway Council’s eastern 


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waterfowl AHM protocol (see above) did 

not specifically address bag limits for 

mallards. The number of breeding 

mallards in the northeastern United 

States (about two-thirds of the eastern 

mallard population in 1998) has 

decreased by about 38 percent since 

1998, and the overall population has 

declined by about 1 percent per year 

during that time period. This situation 

has resulted in reduced harvest 

potential for that population. The 

Service conducted a Prescribed Take 

Level (PTL) analysis to estimate the 

allowable take (kill rate) for eastern 

mallards, and compared that with the 

expected kill rate under the most liberal 

season length (60 days) considered as 

part of the eastern waterfowl AHM 

regulatory alternatives. 

Using contemporary data and 

assuming a management objective of 

maximum long-term sustainable 

harvest, the PTL analysis estimated an 

allowable kill rate of 0.194–0.198. The 

expected kill rate for eastern mallards 

under a 60-day season and a 2-mallard 

daily bag limit in the U.S. portion of the 

Atlantic Flyway was 0.193 (SE = 0.016), 

which is slightly below (but not 

significantly different from) the point 

estimate of allowable kill at maximum 

long-term sustainable harvest. This 

indicates that a 2-bird daily bag limit is 

sustainable at this time. 

Regarding the Central Flyway 

Council’s evaluation plan for a two-tier 

regulations system, we earlier noted our 

intent to approve the Central Flyway 

Council’s recommendation for a limited 

two-tier regulations system in selected 

States to assess impacts to hunters and 

duck harvests during the 2021–22 

season as published in the Federal 

Register (85 FR 51857, August 21, 

2020). In October 2019, the Service 

tasked Division of Migratory Bird 

Management staff to work with the 

Flyway Councils to develop a team to 

address the components needed in an 

evaluation, and to have a draft 

evaluation plan that is supported by 

both the Division of Migratory Bird 

Management and the Flyway Councils 

ready for review prior to the spring 2020 

SRC meeting. The Service concludes 

that completing National Environmental 

Policy Act compliance, developing 

shared objectives, identifying 

appropriate metrics for evaluation, 

potentially modifying monitoring 

efforts, and addressing law enforcement 

concerns are important elements to 

consider before implementing a limited 

two-tier regulations system for 

evaluation. The elements of the 

evaluation plan will be addressed in an 

MOA between the Service and the two 

States, which will outline the roles and 

responsibilities of each partner in the 

agreement. 

We appreciate the work that the 

Flyway Councils and the Division have 

completed to finalize an evaluation plan 

for the first year of a two-tier regulation 

study for duck harvests. The group has 

completed the work we requested last 

October, and therefore we support 

moving forward with the study 

beginning with the 2021–22 season. The 

study will allow different speciesspecific and overall bag limits for each 

of the two license types. We encourage 

the Central Flyway and the Division to 

review information collected during the 

first season and as the study progresses. 

The goal of the data collection is to 

determine whether improvement of 

collection methods is necessary or 

appropriate, and to assess possible 

enforcement issues faced by 

conservation officers from two-tier 

regulations. 

4. Canada and Cackling Geese 

B. Regular Seasons 

Council Recommendations: The 

Mississippi Flyway Council 

recommended increasing the daily bag 

limit for Canada and cackling geese 

from 3 to 5 geese in the aggregate in the 

Mississippi Flyway. The Pacific Flyway 

Council recommended decreasing the 

daily bag limit for Canada and cackling 

geese from 6 to 4 geese in the aggregate 

in Oregon’s Northwest Permit Zone. 

Service Response: We agree with the 

Mississippi Flyway Council’s 

recommendation to increase the daily 

bag limit for Canada and cackling geese 

from 3 to 5 geese in the aggregate for the 

entire 107-day season. The Council’s 

technical assessment suggests that this 

change will maintain the harvest rate for 

subarctic Canada and cackling goose 

breeding populations at or below 11 

percent, which serves as a decision 

threshold between liberal and standard 

frameworks in the Mississippi Flyway 

Council’s management plan. If 

operational monitoring for subarctic 

Canada and cackling goose populations 

is not conducted during spring and 

summer 2021 due to the ongoing 

COVID–19 pandemic, we will discuss 

with the Mississippi Flyway Council the 

appropriate daily bag limit for the 

subsequent season due to the lack of 

monitoring information. 

We also agree with the Pacific Flyway 

Council’s recommendation to decrease 

the daily bag limit for Canada and 

cackling geese from 6 to 4 geese in the 

aggregate in Oregon’s Northwest Permit 

Zone. The most recently available 3-year 

average predicted fall population 

estimate (2017–19) for minima cackling 

geese is 235,137, which is near the 

lower end of the Council’s population 

objective of 250,000 ± 10 percent 

(225,000–275,000). The decrease in bag 

limit is specifically intended to 

maintain objective abundance of 

minima cackling geese, and is consistent 

with the Council’s harvest strategy for 

these birds. Also, the bag limit for 

Canada and cackling geese of 4 per day 

in the aggregate in Oregon’s Northwest 

Permit Zone will simplify regulations by 

matching the 4-bird bag limit currently 

allowed for Canada and cackling geese 

in the aggregate in the basic season 

framework for Oregon and the Pacific 

Flyway. 

6. Brant 

Council Recommendations: The 

Atlantic Flyway Council recommended 

that the Service discontinue use of the 

harvest strategy for Atlantic brant 

adopted by the Service in 2015 for 

setting annual Atlantic brant hunting 

regulations. The Atlantic Flyway 

Council also recommended frameworks 

with a 50-day season and a 2-bird daily 

bag limit for Atlantic brant in the 

Atlantic Flyway for the 2021–22 season. 

The Pacific Flyway Council 

recommended that the 2020–21 brant 

season frameworks be determined based 

on the harvest strategy in the Council’s 

management plan for the Pacific 

population of brant pending results of 

the 2021 Winter Brant Survey (WBS). If 

results of the 2021 WBS are not 

available, results of the most recent 

WBS should be used. 

Service Response: We agree with the 

Atlantic Flyway Council’s 

recommendation to discontinue use of 

the harvest strategy for Atlantic brant 

adopted by the Service in 2015 for 

establishing Atlantic brant season 

frameworks. As we discussed in the 

March 28, 2016, Federal Register (81 FR 

17302), we adopted in 2015 the Atlantic 

Flyway Council’s harvest strategy to 

determine the Atlantic brant season 

frameworks. In developing the annual 

proposed frameworks for Atlantic brant, 

the Atlantic Flyway Council and the 

Service used the number of brant 

counted during the Midwinter 

Waterfowl Survey (MWS) in the 

Atlantic Flyway to determine annual 

allowable season length and daily bag 

limits. The MWS is conducted each 

January, which is after the date that 

proposed frameworks are formulated in 

the regulatory process. However, the 

data were typically available by the 

expected publication of final 

frameworks. When we acquired the 

survey data, we determined the 

appropriate allowable harvest for the 

Atlantic brant season according to the 


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harvest strategy, and published the 

results in the final frameworks rule. 

However, in 2020, the Atlantic Flyway 

Council developed and adopted a new 

harvest strategy for Atlantic brant that 

uses available data and a demographic 

model to predict population abundance 

for the subsequent year and determine 

the appropriate regulatory alternative. 

The Atlantic Flyway Council’s newly 

adopted harvest strategy now fits within 

the regulatory schedule, and makes the 

Service’s 2015 adopted harvest strategy 

obsolete and unnecessary. Based on the 

Atlantic Flyway Council’s new harvest 

strategy, the 2021 predicted Atlantic 

brant population index is 126,000 birds 

and results in a prescribed season 

framework with a 50-day season and a 

2-bird daily bag limit for Atlantic brant 

in the Atlantic Flyway for the 2021–22 

season. Therefore, we also agree with 

the Atlantic Flyway Council’s 

recommendation for a framework for 

Atlantic brant with a 50-day season and 

2-bird daily bag limit for the 2021–22 

season. 

We also agree with the Pacific Flyway 

Council’s recommendation that the 

2021–22 Pacific brant season framework 

be determined by the harvest strategy in 

the Council’s management plan for the 

Pacific population of brant pending 

results of the 2021 WBS. As we 

discussed in the August 21, 2020, 

Federal Register (85 FR 51854), the 

harvest strategy used to determine the 

Pacific brant season frameworks does 

not fit well within the current regulatory 

process. In developing the annual 

proposed frameworks for Pacific brant, 

the Pacific Flyway Council and the 

Service use the 3-year average number 

of brant counted during the WBS in the 

Pacific Flyway to determine annual 

allowable season length and daily bag 

limits. The WBS is conducted each 

January, which is after the date that 

proposed frameworks are formulated in 

the regulatory process. However, the 

data are typically available by the 

expected publication of final 

frameworks. When we acquire the 

survey data, we will determine the 

appropriate allowable harvest for the 

Pacific brant season according to the 

harvest strategy in the Pacific Flyway 

Council’s management plan for the 

Pacific population of brant published in 

the August 21, 2020, Federal Register 

(85 FR 51854) and publish the results in 

the final frameworks rule. 

7. Snow and Ross’s (Light) Geese 

Council Recommendations: The 

Pacific Flyway Council recommended 

two changes to the light goose season 

frameworks in the Pacific Flyway. 

Specifically, the Council recommended: 

1. In Oregon, increasing the daily bag 

limit for light geese to 20 per day, 

statewide and during the entire season 

framework, and 

2. In Washington, increasing the daily 

bag limit for light geese on or before the 

last Sunday in January to 10 per day and 

20 per day thereafter. 

Service Response: We agree with the 

Pacific Flyway Council’s 

recommendations for increasing the 

daily bag limit for light geese in Oregon 

and Washington. Three populations of 

light geese occur in the Pacific Flyway 

and are above the Council’s 

management plan population objectives 

based on the most recently available 

breeding population indices. The 

population estimate for the Western 

Arctic Population (WAP) of lesser snow 

geese was 419,800 in 2013, which is 

above the objective of 200,000 geese. 

Ross’s geese were estimated at 233,300 

in 2019, and are above the objective of 

100,000 geese. The Wrangel Island 

Population (WIP) of lesser snow geese 

was 685,120 in 2020 and the recent 3- 

year (2018–2020) average was 477,640, 

which is above the objective of 120,000 

geese based on the 3-year average. Also, 

light geese in the Pacific Flyway are 

indexed by fall and winter surveys in 

California, Oregon, Washington, and 

British Columbia. The most recent 

winter index was 1,599,641 light geese 

in 2019. The annual index has increased 

6.04 percent annually since 2000 when 

the index averaged about 550,000, and 

indicates continued growth of light 

goose populations in the Pacific Flyway. 

Current evidence suggests most light 

geese in Oregon and Washington during 

fall and early winter are primarily WIP 

snow geese, but an influx of WAP snow 

and Ross’s geese occurs during late 

winter as birds begin to move north 

toward breeding areas. The current 6- 

bird daily bag limit for light geese in 

Oregon (on or before the last Sunday in 

January, and in the Northwest Permit 

Zone season long) and Washington were 

intended to minimize harvest of WIP 

snow geese when they were below the 

population objective. The bag limit 

increase to 20 light geese per day in 

Oregon and Washington will simplify 

regulations by matching the 20-bird 

daily bag limit currently allowed for 

light geese in the basic season 

framework for the Pacific Flyway. 

9. Sandhill Cranes 

Council Recommendations: The 

Central and Pacific Flyway Councils 

recommended establishment of two new 

hunting areas for the Rocky Mountain 

Population (RMP) of sandhill cranes 

including Duchesne County in northeast 

Utah and Cascade and Teton Counties 

in northcentral Montana, and that 

allowable harvest of RMP cranes be 

determined based on the formula 

described in the Pacific and Central 

Flyway Councils’ Management Plan for 

RMP cranes. 

Service Response: We agree with the 

Central and Pacific Flyway Councils’ 

recommendations to establish the two 

new hunting areas for RMP cranes. The 

new hunting areas are consistent with 

the hunting area requirements in the 

Pacific and Central Flyway Councils’ 

RMP crane management plan. 

We also agree with the Central and 

Pacific Flyway Councils’ 

recommendations to determine 

allowable harvest of RMP cranes using 

the formula in the Pacific and Central 

Flyway Councils’ management plan for 

RMP cranes pending results of the fall 

2020 abundance and recruitment 

surveys. As we discussed in the March 

28, 2016, Federal Register (81 FR 

17302), the harvest strategy used to 

calculate the allowable harvest of RMP 

cranes does not fit well within the 

current regulatory process. In 

developing the annual proposed 

frameworks for RMP cranes, the Flyway 

Councils and the Service use the fall 

abundance and recruitment surveys of 

RMP cranes to determine annual 

allowable harvest. Results of the fall 

abundance and recruitment surveys of 

RMP cranes are released between 

December 1 and January 31 each year, 

which is after the date proposed 

frameworks are developed. However, 

the data are typically available by the 

expected publication of final 

frameworks. When we acquire the 

survey data, we will determine the 

appropriate allowable harvest for the 

RMP crane season according to the 

harvest strategy in the Central and 

Pacific Flyway Councils’ management 

plan for RMP cranes published in the 

March 28, 2016, Federal Register (81 FR 

17302) and publish the results in the 

final frameworks rule. 

14. American Woodcock 

Council Recommendations: At the 

April SRC meeting, the Atlantic, 

Mississippi, and Central Flyway 

Councils recommended season 

framework dates for American 

woodcock in the Eastern Management 

Region and Central Management Region 

be changed to September 13–January 31 

and use of the ‘‘moderate’’ season 

framework for the 2020–21 season. 

Service Response: In 2011, we 

implemented a harvest strategy for 

American woodcock (76 FR 19876, 

April 8, 2011). The harvest strategy 

provides a transparent framework for 

making regulatory decisions for 


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American woodcock season length and 

bag limits while we work to improve 

monitoring and assessment protocols for 

this species. The American Woodcock 

Harvest Strategy is available on our 

website at https://www.fws.gov/birds/ 

surveys-and-data/webless-migratorygame-birds/american-woodcock.php. 

In the October 9, 2020, proposed rule 

(85 FR 64097), we proposed to change 

the opening framework date for 

American woodcock in the Eastern and 

Central Management Regions to a fixed 

date of September 13. Framework dates 

currently are October 1–January 31 and 

the Saturday nearest September 22– 

January 31 for the Eastern and Central 

Management Regions, respectively. 

Results from an assessment conducted 

by Service staff suggest that total season 

harvest would not increase in either 

management region as a result of these 

changes. Consistent with our earlier 

proposal, we agree with the Atlantic, 

Mississippi, and Central Flyway 

Councils’ recommendations that the 

framework dates for the Eastern 

Management Region and Central 

Management Region be changed to 

September 13–January 31. 

Utilizing the criteria developed for the 

strategy, the 3-year average for the 

Singing Ground Survey indices and 

associated confidence intervals fall 

within the ‘‘moderate package’’ for both 

the Eastern and Central Management 

Regions. As such, a ‘‘moderate season’’ 

for both management regions for the 

2020–21 season is appropriate. 

16. Doves 

Council Recommendations: The 

Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and 

Pacific Flyway Councils recommended 

adoption of the standard regulatory 

alternative as prescribed in the national 

mourning dove harvest strategy for their 

respective Mourning Dove Management 

Units. The standard regulatory 

alternative consists of a 90-day season 

and 15-bird daily bag limit for States 

within the Eastern and Central 

Management Units, and a 60-day season 

and 15-bird daily bag limit for States in 

the Western Management Unit. 

The Central Flyway Council also 

recommended changes to the Special 

White-winged Dove Area in Texas. They 

proposed to add 2 days to the existing 

4 days allowed in that area, and to 

codify in Federal regulations that 

hunting may occur only from noon to 

sunset during those days. This latter 

restriction has been in Texas’ State 

regulations, so making this provision 

would involve only codifying the 

shooting hours in Federal regulations. 

Service Response: Based on the 

harvest strategies and current 

population status, we agree with the 

recommended selection of the standard 

season frameworks for doves in the 

Eastern, Central, and Western 

Management Units for the 2021–22 

season. We also agree with the Central 

Flyway Council’s recommendation to 

add 2 days to the existing 4 hunting 

days permitted in the Special Whitewinged Dove Area in Texas, and to 

codify in Federal regulations that 

shooting hours for those 6 days will be 

from noon to sunset. The additional 

days will allow more opportunity and 

flexibility to hunters by providing 3 

consecutive days of dove hunting each 

of the first two weekends in September. 

As we have stated in the past (76 FR 

54056, August 30, 2011), the Service 

remains concerned about the effect of 

early September hunting on late-nesting 

mourning doves. We note that 

abundances of mourning doves in the 

Central Management Unit have declined 

since 2008, and additional harvest 

associated with this change could 

exacerbate that trend. We encourage 

Texas and the Central Flyway Council 

to conduct appropriate monitoring of 

both mourning and white-winged doves 

that will inform adjustments to the dove 

harvest management strategy, if 

necessary, to maintain desired 

abundances of doves. Such efforts 

should include contemporary nesting 

ecology studies to determine the extent 

of nesting activity in September, various 

aspects of nesting ecology (e.g., nesting 

rate, clutch size, nest success), and 

exposure of nesting adults to harvest. 

Public Comments 

The Department of the Interior’s 

policy is, whenever possible, to afford 

the public an opportunity to participate 

in the rulemaking process. Accordingly, 

we invite interested persons to submit 

written comments, suggestions, or 

recommendations regarding the 

proposed regulations. Before 

promulgating final migratory game bird 

hunting regulations, we will consider all 

comments we receive. These comments, 

and any additional information we 

receive, may lead to final regulations 

that differ from these proposals. 

You may submit your comments and 

materials concerning this proposed rule 

by one of the methods listed in 

ADDRESSES. We will not accept 

comments sent by email or fax. We will 

not consider hand-delivered comments 

that we do not receive, or mailed 

comments that are not postmarked, by 

the date specified in DATES. 

We may post all comments in their 

entirety—including your personal 

identifying information—on http://

www.regulations.gov. Before including 

your address, phone number, email 

address, or other personal identifying 

information in your comment, you 

should be aware that your entire 

comment—including your personal 

identifying information—may be made 

publicly available at any time. While 

you can ask us in your comment to 

withhold your personal identifying 

information from public review, we 

cannot guarantee that we will be able to 

do so. Comments and materials we 

receive, as well as supporting 

documentation we used in preparing 

this proposed rule, will be available for 

public inspection on http://

www.regulations.gov, or by 

appointment, during normal business 

hours, at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service, Division of Migratory Bird 

Management, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls 

Church, Virginia. We will consider, but 

possibly may not respond in detail to, 

each comment. As in the past, we will 

summarize all comments we receive 

during the comment period and respond 

to them after the closing date in the 

preambles of any final rules. 

Required Determinations 

Based on our most current data, we 

are affirming our required 

determinations made in the October 9, 

2020, proposed rule; for descriptions of 

our actions to ensure compliance with 

the following statutes and Executive 

Orders, see our October 9, 2020, 

proposed rule (85 FR 64097): 

• National Environmental Policy Act 

(NEPA) Consideration; 

• Endangered Species Act 

Consideration; 

• Regulatory Flexibility Act; 

• Small Business Regulatory 

Enforcement Fairness Act; 

• Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995; 

• Unfunded Mandates Reform Act; 

• Executive Orders 12630, 12866, 

12988, 13132, 13175, 13211, and 13563. 

Authority 

The rules that eventually will be 

promulgated for the 2021–22 hunting 

season are authorized under 16 U.S.C. 

703–712 and 16 U.S.C. 742 a–j. 

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 20 

Exports, Hunting, Imports, Reporting 

and recordkeeping requirements, 

Transportation, Wildlife. 

Proposed Regulations Frameworks for 

2021–22 Hunting Seasons on Certain 

Migratory Game Birds 

Pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty 

Act and delegated authorities, the 

Department of the Interior is proposing 

the following frameworks for outside 

dates, season lengths, shooting hours, 


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bag and possession limits, and areas 

within which States may select seasons 

for hunting migratory game birds 

between the dates of September 1, 2021, 

and March 10, 2022. These frameworks 

are summarized below. 

General 

Dates: All outside dates specified 

below are inclusive. 

Season Lengths: All season lengths 

specified below are the maximum 

number of days allowed. 

Season Segments: All season 

segments specified below are the 

maximum number of segments allowed. 

Zones: Unless otherwise specified, 

States may select hunting seasons by 

zone. Zones for duck seasons (and 

associated youth and veterans-active 

military waterfowl hunting days, 

gallinule seasons, and snipe seasons) 

and dove seasons may be selected only 

in years we declare such changes can be 

made (i.e., open seasons for zones and 

splits) and according to federally 

established guidelines for duck and 

dove zones and split seasons. Areas 

open to hunting must be described, 

delineated, and designated as such in 

each State’s hunting regulations and 

published in the Federal Register as a 

Federal migratory bird hunting 

frameworks final rule. 

Shooting and Hawking (taking by 

falconry) Hours: Unless otherwise 

specified, from one-half hour before 

sunrise to sunset daily. 

Possession Limits: Unless otherwise 

specified, possession limits are three 

times the daily bag limit. 

Permits: For some species of 

migratory birds, the Service authorizes 

the use of permits to regulate harvest or 

monitor their take by hunters, or both. 

In such cases, the Service determines 

the amount of harvest that may be taken 

during hunting seasons during its 

formal regulations-setting process, and 

the States then issue permits to hunters 

at levels predicted to result in the 

amount of take authorized by the 

Service. Thus, although issued by 

States, the permits would not be valid 

unless the Service approved such take 

in its regulations. 

These federally authorized, Stateissued permits are issued to individuals, 

and only the individual whose name 

and address appears on the permit at the 

time of issuance is authorized to take 

migratory birds at levels specified in the 

permit, in accordance with provisions of 

both Federal and State regulations 

governing the hunting season. The 

permit must be carried by the permittee 

when exercising its provisions and must 

be presented to any law enforcement 

officer upon request. The permit is not 

transferrable or assignable to another 

individual, and may not be sold, 

bartered, traded, or otherwise provided 

to another person. If the permit is 

altered or defaced in any way, the 

permit becomes invalid. 

Flyways and Management Units 

We set migratory bird hunting 

frameworks for the conterminous U.S. 

States by Flyway or Management Unit/ 

Region. Frameworks for Alaska, Hawaii, 

Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands are 

contained in separate sections near the 

end of the frameworks portion of this 

document. The States included in the 

Flyways and Management Units/ 

Regions are described below. 

Waterfowl Flyways 

Atlantic Flyway: Includes 

Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, 

Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New 

Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, 

North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode 

Island, South Carolina, Vermont, 

Virginia, and West Virginia. 

Mississippi Flyway: Includes 

Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, 

Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, 

Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, 

Tennessee, and Wisconsin. 

Central Flyway: Includes Colorado 

(east of the Continental Divide), Kansas, 

Montana (Counties of Blaine, Carbon, 

Fergus, Judith Basin, Stillwater, 

Sweetgrass, Wheatland, and all counties 

east thereof), Nebraska, New Mexico 

(east of the Continental Divide except 

the Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation), 

North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, 

Texas, and Wyoming (east of the 

Continental Divide). 

Pacific Flyway: Includes Arizona, 

California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, 

Washington, and those portions of 

Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, and 

Wyoming not included in the Central 

Flyway. 

Mallard Management Units 

High Plains Management Unit: 

Roughly defined as that portion of the 

Central Flyway that lies west of the 

100th meridian. See Area, Unit, and 

Zone Descriptions, Ducks (Including 

Mergansers) and Coots, below, for 

specific boundaries in each State. 

Columbia Basin Management Unit: In 

Washington, all areas east of the Pacific 

Crest Trail and east of the Big White 

Salmon River in Klickitat County; and 

in Oregon, the counties of Gilliam, 

Morrow, and Umatilla. 

Mourning Dove Management Units 

Eastern Management Unit: All States 

east of the Mississippi River, and 

Louisiana. 

Central Management Unit: Arkansas, 

Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, 

Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New 

Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South 

Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming. 

Western Management Unit: Arizona, 

California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, 

and Washington. 

Woodcock Management Regions 

Eastern Management Region: 

Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, 

Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New 

Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, 

North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode 

Island, South Carolina, Vermont, 

Virginia, and West Virginia. 

Central Management Region: 

Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, 

Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, 

Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, 

Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, 

Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, 

Texas, and Wisconsin. 

Definitions 

For the purpose of the hunting 

regulations listed below, the collective 

terms ‘‘dark’’ and ‘‘light’’ geese include 

the following species: 

Dark geese: Canada geese, cackling 

geese, white-fronted geese, brant (except 

in Alaska, California, Oregon, 

Washington, and the Atlantic Flyway), 

and all other goose species except light 

geese. 

Light geese: Snow (including blue) 

geese and Ross’s geese. 

Area, Zone, and Unit Descriptions: 

Geographic descriptions related to 

regulations are contained in a later 

portion of this document. 

Migratory Game Bird Seasons in the 

Atlantic Flyway 

In the Atlantic Flyway States of 

Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, 

Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, 

North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, 

where Sunday hunting of migratory 

birds is prohibited statewide by State 

law or regulation, all Sundays are closed 

to the take of all migratory game birds. 

Season Frameworks 

Special Youth and Veterans-Active 

Military Personnel Waterfowl Hunting 

Days 

Outside Dates: States may select 2 

days per duck-hunting zone, designated 

as ‘‘Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days,’’ 

and 2 days per duck-hunting zone, 

designated as ‘‘Veterans and Active 

Military Personnel Waterfowl Hunting 

Days,’’ in addition to their regular duck 

seasons. The days may be held 

concurrently. The Youth Waterfowl 

Hunting Days must be held outside any 

regular duck season on weekends, 


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holidays, or other non-school days 

when youth hunters would have the 

maximum opportunity to participate. 

Both sets of days may be held up to 14 

days before or after any regular duckseason frameworks or within any split 

of a regular duck season, or within any 

other open season on migratory birds. 

Daily Bag Limits: The daily bag limits 

may include ducks, geese, swans, 

mergansers, coots, and gallinules. Bag 

limits would be the same as those 

allowed in the regular season except in 

States that implement a hybrid season 

for scaup (i.e., different bag limits 

during different portions of the season), 

in which case the bag limit will be 2 

scaup per day. Flyway species and area 

restrictions would remain in effect. 

Participation Restrictions for Youth 

Waterfowl Hunting Days: States may use 

their established definition of age for 

youth hunters. However, youth hunters 

must be under the age of 18. In addition, 

an adult at least 18 years of age must 

accompany the youth hunter into the 

field. This adult may not duck hunt but 

may participate in other seasons that are 

open on the special youth day. Youth 

hunters 16 years of age and older must 

possess a Federal Migratory Bird 

Hunting and Conservation Stamp (also 

known as Federal Duck Stamp). Swans 

may only be taken by participants 

possessing applicable swan permits. 

Participation Restrictions for Veterans 

and Active Military Personnel Waterfowl 

Hunting Days: Veterans (as defined in 

section 101 of title 38, United States 

Code) and members of the Armed 

Forces on active duty, including 

members of the National Guard and 

Reserves on active duty (other than for 

training), may participate. All hunters 

must possess a Federal Migratory Bird 

Hunting and Conservation Stamp (also 

known as Federal Duck Stamp). Swans 

may only be taken by participants 

possessing applicable swan permits. 

Special September Teal Seasons 

Outside Dates: Between September 1 

and September 30, an open season on 

all species of teal may be selected by the 

following States in areas delineated by 

State regulations: 

Atlantic Flyway: Delaware, Florida, 

Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, 

South Carolina, and Virginia. 

Mississippi Flyway: Alabama, 

Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, 

Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, 

Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, 

Tennessee, and Wisconsin. The season 

in Minnesota is experimental. 

Central Flyway: Colorado (part), 

Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico (part), 

Oklahoma, and Texas. 

Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag 

Limits: Not to exceed 16 consecutive 

days in the Atlantic, Mississippi, and 

Central Flyways. The daily bag limit is 

6 teal. 

Shooting Hours 

One-half hour before sunrise to 

sunset, except in the States of Arkansas, 

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, 

Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, South 

Carolina, and Wisconsin, where the 

hours are from sunrise to sunset. 

Special September Duck Seasons 

Florida, Kentucky, and Tennessee: In 

lieu of a special September teal season, 

a 5-consecutive-day teal/wood duck 

season may be selected in September. 

The daily bag limit may not exceed 6 

teal and wood ducks in the aggregate, of 

which no more than 2 may be wood 

ducks. In addition, a 4-consecutive-day 

teal-only season may be selected in 

September either immediately before or 

immediately after the 5-consecutive-day 

teal/wood duck season. The daily bag 

limit is 6 teal. 

Waterfowl 

Atlantic Flyway 

Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots 

Outside Dates: Between the Saturday 

nearest September 24 (September 25) 

and January 31. 

Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: 60 

days. The daily bag limit is 6 ducks, 

including no more than 2 mallards (no 

more than 1 of which can be female), 2 

black ducks, 1 pintail, 1 mottled duck, 

1 fulvous whistling duck, 3 wood ducks, 

2 redheads, 2 canvasbacks, 4 scoters, 4 

eiders, and 4 long-tailed ducks. The 

season for scaup may be split into 2 

segments, with one segment consisting 

of 40 consecutive days with a 1-scaup 

daily bag limit, and the second segment 

consisting of 20 consecutive days with 

a 2-scaup daily bag limit. 

Closures: The season on harlequin 

ducks is closed. 

Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit 

of mergansers is 5, only 2 of which may 

be hooded mergansers. In States that 

include mergansers in the duck bag 

limit, the daily limit is the same as the 

duck bag limit, only 2 of which may be 

hooded mergansers. 

Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 

coots. 

Lake Champlain Zone, New York: The 

waterfowl seasons, limits, and shooting 

hours should be the same as those 

selected for the Lake Champlain Zone of 

Vermont. 

Connecticut River Zone, Vermont: 

The waterfowl seasons, limits, and 

shooting hours should be the same as 

those selected for the Inland Zone of 

New Hampshire. 

Zoning and Split Seasons: Delaware, 

Florida, Georgia, Rhode Island, South 

Carolina, and West Virginia may split 

their seasons into 3 segments. Maine, 

Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New 

Jersey, and Vermont may select seasons 

in each of 3 zones; Pennsylvania may 

select seasons in each of 4 zones; and 

New York may select seasons in each of 

5 zones; and all these States may split 

their season in each zone into 2 

segments. Connecticut, Maryland, North 

Carolina, and Virginia may select 

seasons in each of 2 zones; and all these 

States may split their season in each 

zone into 3 segments. Connecticut, 

Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia 

must conduct an evaluation of the 

impacts of zones and splits on hunter 

dynamics (e.g., hunter numbers, 

satisfaction) and harvest during the 

2021–25 seasons. 

Scoters, Eiders, and Long-Tailed Ducks 

Special Sea Duck Seasons 

Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, 

Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New 

Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, 

North Carolina, Rhode Island, South 

Carolina, and Virginia may select a 

Special Sea Duck Season in designated 

Special Sea Duck Areas. If a Special Sea 

Duck Season is selected, scoters, eiders, 

and long-tailed ducks may be taken in 

the designated Special Sea Duck Area(s) 

only during the Special Sea Duck 

Season dates; scoters, eiders, and longtailed ducks may be taken outside of 

Special Sea Duck Area(s) during the 

regular duck season, in accordance with 

the frameworks for ducks, mergansers, 

and coots specified above. 

Outside Dates: Between September 15 

and January 31. 

Special Sea Duck Seasons and Daily 

Bag Limits: 60 consecutive days, or 60 

days that are concurrent with the 

regular duck season, with a daily bag 

limit of 5, of the listed sea duck species, 

including no more than 4 scoters, 4 

eiders, and 4 long-tailed 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 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, 4 eiders, and 

4 long-tailed ducks) and possession 

limits. 

Special Sea Duck Areas: In all coastal 

waters and all waters of rivers and 

streams seaward from the first upstream 


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bridge in Maine, New Hampshire, 

Massachusetts, Rhode Island, 

Connecticut, and New York; in New 

Jersey, all coastal waters seaward from 

the International Regulations for 

Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGS) 

Demarcation Lines shown on National 

Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration (NOAA) Nautical Charts 

and further described in 33 CFR 80.165, 

80.501, 80.502, and 80.503; in any 

waters of the Atlantic Ocean and in any 

tidal waters of any bay that are 

separated by at least 1 mile of open 

water from any shore, island, and 

emergent vegetation in South Carolina 

and Georgia; and in any waters of the 

Atlantic Ocean and in any tidal waters 

of any bay that are separated by at least 

800 yards of open water from any shore, 

island, and emergent vegetation in 

Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, 

and Virginia; and provided that any 

such areas have been described, 

delineated, and designated as special 

sea duck hunting areas under the 

hunting regulations adopted by the 

respective States. 

Canada and Cackling Geese 

Special Early Canada and Cackling 

Goose Seasons 

Season lengths and Outside Dates: A 

Canada and cackling goose season of not 

more than 15 days during September 1– 

15 may be selected for the Eastern Unit 

of Maryland. Seasons not to exceed 30 

days during September 1–30 may be 

selected for Connecticut, Florida, 

Georgia, New Jersey, New York (Long 

Island Zone only), North Carolina, 

Rhode Island, and South Carolina. 

Seasons may not exceed 25 days during 

September 1–25 in the remainder of the 

Flyway. Areas open to the hunting of 

Canada and cackling geese must be 

described, delineated, and designated as 

such in each State’s hunting regulations. 

Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 15 

Canada and cackling geese in the 

aggregate. 

Shooting Hours: One-half hour before 

sunrise to sunset, except that during any 

special early Canada and cackling goose 

season, shooting hours may extend to 

one-half hour after sunset if all other 

waterfowl seasons are closed in the 

specific applicable area. 

Regular Dark Goose Seasons 

Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and 

Limits: Specific regulations are provided 

below by State. The daily bag limit for 

Canada, cackling, and white-fronted 

geese is in the aggregate. Unless 

subsequently provided, seasons may be 

split into 2 segments. 

Connecticut 

North Atlantic Population (NAP) 

Zone: Between October 1 and January 

31, a 60-day season may be held with 

a 2-bird daily bag limit. 

Atlantic Population (AP) Zone: A 30- 

day season may be held between 

October 10 and February 5, with a 2- 

bird daily bag limit. 

South Zone: A special season may be 

held between January 15 and February 

15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. 

Resident Population (RP) Zone: An 

80-day season may be held between 

October 1 and February 15, with a 5- 

bird daily bag limit. The season may be 

split into 3 segments. 

Delaware 

A 30-day season may be held between 

November 15 and February 5, with a 1- 

bird daily bag limit. 

Florida 

An 80-day season may be held 

between October 1 and March 10, with 

a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season may 

be split into 3 segments. 

Georgia 

An 80-day season may be held 

between October 1 and March 10, with 

a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season may 

be split into 3 segments. 

Maine 

North and South NAP–H Zones: A 60- 

day season may be held between 

October 1 and January 31, with a 2-bird 

daily bag limit. 

Coastal NAP–L Zone: A 70-day season 

may be held between October 1 and 

February 15, with a 3-bird daily bag 

limit. 

Maryland 

RP Zone: An 80-day season may be 

held between November 15 and March 

10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The 

season may be split into 3 segments. 

AP Zone: A 30-day season may be 

held between November 15 and 

February 5, with a 1-bird daily bag limit. 

Massachusetts 

NAP Zone: A 60-day season may be 

held between October 1 and January 31, 

with a 2-bird daily bag limit. 

Additionally, a special season may be 

held from January 15 to February 15, 

with a 5-bird daily bag limit. 

AP Zone: A 30-day season may be 

held between October 10 and February 

5, with a 2-bird daily bag limit. 

New Hampshire 

A 60-day season may be held 

statewide between October 1 and 

January 31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit. 

New Jersey 

AP Zone: A 30-day season may be 

held between the fourth Saturday in 

October (October 24) and February 5, 

with a 2-bird daily bag limit. 

NAP Zone: A 60-day season may be 

held between October 1 and January 31, 

with a 2-bird daily bag limit. 

Special Late Goose Season Area: A 

special season may be held in 

designated areas of north and south 

New Jersey from January 15 to February 

15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. 

New York 

NAP Zone: Between October 1 and 

January 31, a 60-day season may be 

held, with a 2-bird daily bag limit in the 

High Harvest areas; and between 

October 1 and February 15, a 70-day 

season may be held, with a 3-bird daily 

bag limit in the Low Harvest areas. 

AP Zone: A 30-day season may be 

held between the fourth Saturday in 

October (October 23), except in the Lake 

Champlain Area where the opening date 

is October 10, through February 5, with 

a 2-bird daily bag limit. 

Western Long Island RP Zone: A 107- 

day season may be held between the 

Saturday nearest September 24 

(September 25) and the last day of 

February, with an 8-bird daily bag limit. 

The season may be split into 3 

segments. 

Rest of State RP Zone: An 80-day 

season may be held between the fourth 

Saturday in October (October 23) and 

the last day of February, with a 5-bird 

daily bag limit. The season may be split 

into 3 segments. 

North Carolina 

RP Zone: An 80-day season may be 

held between October 1 and March 10, 

with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season 

may be split into 3 segments. 

Northeast Zone: A 14-day season may 

be held between the Saturday prior to 

December 25 (December 18) and January 

31, with a 1-bird daily bag limit. 

Pennsylvania 

Southern James Bay Population 

(SJBP) Zone: A 78-day season may be 

held between the first Saturday in 

October (October 2) and February 15, 

with a 3-bird daily bag limit. 

RP Zone: An 80-day season may be 

held between the fourth Saturday in 

October (October 23) and March 10, 

with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season 

may be split into 3 segments. 

AP Zone: A 30-day season may be 

held between the fourth Saturday in 

October (October 23) and February 5, 

with a 2-bird daily bag limit. 


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Rhode Island 

A 60-day season may be held between 

October 1 and January 31, with a 2-bird 

daily bag limit. A special late season 

may be held in designated areas from 

January 15 to February 15, with a 5-bird 

daily bag limit. 

South Carolina 

In designated areas, an 80-day season 

may be held between October 1 and 

March 10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. 

The season may be split into 3 

segments. 

Vermont 

Lake Champlain Zone and Interior 

Zone: A 30-day season may be held 

between October 10 and February 5, 

with a 2-bird daily bag limit. 

Connecticut River Zone: A 60-day 

season may be held between October 1 

and January 31, with a 2-bird daily bag 

limit. 

Virginia 

SJBP Zone: A 40-day season may be 

held between November 15 and January 

14, with a 3-bird daily bag limit. 

Additionally, a special late season may 

be held between January 15 and 

February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag 

limit. 

AP Zone: A 30-day season may be 

held between November 15 and 

February 5, with a 1-bird daily bag limit. 

RP Zone: An 80-day season may be 

held between November 15 and March 

10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The 

season may be split into 3 segments. 

West Virginia 

An 80-day season may be held 

between October 1 and March 10, with 

a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season may 

be split into 3 segments. 

Light Geese 

Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and 

Limits: States may select a 107-day 

season between October 1 and March 

10, with a 25-bird daily bag limit and no 

possession limit. Seasons may be split 

into 3 segments. 

Brant 

Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and 

Limits: States may select a 50-day 

season between the Saturday nearest 

September 24 (September 25) and 

January 31. Seasons may be split into 2 

segments. 

Mississippi Flyway 

Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots 

Outside Dates: Between the Saturday 

nearest September 24 (September 25) 

and January 31. 

Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: 60 

days. The daily bag limit is 6 ducks, 

including no more than 4 mallards (no 

more than 2 of which may be females), 

1 mottled duck, 2 black ducks, 1 pintail, 

3 wood ducks, 2 canvasbacks, and 2 

redheads. The season for scaup may be 

split into 2 segments, with one segment 

consisting of 45 consecutive days with 

a 2-scaup daily bag limit, and the 

second segment consisting of 15 

consecutive days with a 1-scaup daily 

bag limit. 

Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit 

is 5, only 2 of which may be hooded 

mergansers. In States that include 

mergansers in the duck bag limit, the 

daily limit is the same as the duck bag 

limit, only 2 of which may be hooded 

mergansers. 

Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 

coots. 

Zoning and Split Seasons: Alabama, 

Arkansas, and Mississippi may split 

their seasons into 3 segments. Kentucky 

and Tennessee may select seasons in 

each of 2 zones; and Indiana, Iowa, 

Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio 

and Wisconsin may select seasons in 

each of 3 zones; and all these States may 

split their season in each zone into 2 

segments. Illinois may select seasons in 

each of 4 zones. Louisiana may select 

seasons in each of 2 zones and may split 

their season in each zone into 3 

segments. Louisiana must conduct an 

evaluation of the impacts of zones and 

splits on hunter dynamics (e.g., hunter 

numbers, satisfaction) and harvest 

during the 2021–25 seasons. 

Geese 

Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and 

Limits 

Canada and Cackling Geese: States 

may select a 107-day season between 

September 1 and February 15 with a 

daily bag limit of 5 geese in the 

aggregate. 

White-fronted Geese: States may 

select either a 74-day season with a 

daily bag limit of 3 geese, an 88-day 

season with a daily bag limit of 2 geese, 

or a 107-day season with a daily bag 

limit of 1 goose. Seasons must be 

between September 1 and February 15. 

Brant: States may select either a 70- 

day season with a daily bag limit of 2 

brant or a 107-day season with a daily 

bag limit of 1 brant. Seasons must be 

between September 1 and February 15. 

In lieu of a separate brant season, brant 

may be included in the season for 

Canada and cackling geese with a daily 

bag limit of 5 geese in the aggregate. 

Dark Geese: In lieu of separate 

seasons for Canada and cackling geese, 

white-fronted geese, and brant, 

Alabama, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, 

Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin may 

select a 107-day dark goose season 

between September 1 and February 15 

with a daily bag limit of 5 geese in the 

aggregate. 

Light Geese: States may select a 107- 

day season between September 1 and 

February 15 with a daily bag limit of 20 

geese. There is no possession limit for 

light geese. 

Split Seasons: Seasons for geese may 

be split into 4 segments. 

Shooting Hours: One-half hour before 

sunrise to sunset, except that during 

September 1–15 shooting hours may 

extend to one-half hour after sunset for 

Canada and cackling geese if all other 

waterfowl and crane seasons are closed 

in the specific applicable area. 

Central Flyway 

Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots 

Outside Dates: Between the Saturday 

nearest September 24 (September 25) 

and January 31. 

Hunting Seasons 

High Plains Mallard Management 

Unit (roughly defined as that portion of 

the Central Flyway that lies west of the 

100th meridian): 97 days. The last 23 

days must run consecutively and may 

start no earlier than the Saturday nearest 

December 10 (December 11). 

Remainder of the Central Flyway: 74 

days. 

Duck Limits: The daily bag limit is 6 

ducks, including no more than 5 

mallards (no more than 2 of which may 

be females), 2 redheads, 3 wood ducks, 

1 pintail, and 2 canvasbacks. The daily 

bag limit for scaup is 1, and the season 

for scaup may be split into 2 segments, 

with one segment consisting of 39 

consecutive days and another segment 

consisting of 35 consecutive days. In 

Texas, the daily bag limit on mottled 

ducks is 1, except that no mottled ducks 

may be taken during the first 5 days of 

the season. In addition to the daily 

limits listed above, the States of 

Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, 

and Wyoming, in lieu of selecting an 

experimental September teal season, 

may include an additional daily bag and 

possession limit of 2 and 6 blue-winged 

teal, respectively, during the first 16 

days of the regular duck season in each 

respective duck hunting zone. These 

extra limits are in addition to the regular 

duck bag and possession limits. 

Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit 

is 5 mergansers, only 2 of which may be 

hooded mergansers. In States that 

include mergansers in the duck daily 

bag limit, the daily limit may be the 

same as the duck bag limit, only two of 

which may be hooded mergansers. 


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Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 

coots. 

Zoning and Split Seasons: Colorado, 

Kansas (Low Plains portion), Montana, 

Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma (Low 

Plains portion), South Dakota (Low 

Plains portion), Texas (Low Plains 

portion), and Wyoming may select 

hunting seasons by zones. 

North Dakota may split their season 

into 3 segments. Montana, New Mexico, 

Oklahoma, and Texas may select 

seasons in each of 2 zones; and 

Colorado, Kansas, South Dakota, and 

Wyoming may select seasons in each of 

3 zones; and all these States may split 

their season in each zone into 2 

segments. Nebraska may select seasons 

in each of 4 zones. 

Geese 

Special Early Canada and Cackling 

Goose Seasons 

Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and 

Limits: In Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, 

South Dakota, and Texas, Canada and 

cackling goose seasons of not more than 

30 days during September 1–30 may be 

selected. In Colorado, New Mexico, 

Montana, and Wyoming, Canada and 

cackling goose seasons of not more than 

15 days during September 1–15 may be 

selected. In North Dakota, Canada and 

cackling goose seasons of not more than 

22 days during September 1–22 may be 

selected. The daily bag limit may not 

exceed 5 Canada and cackling geese in 

the aggregate, except in Kansas, 

Nebraska, and Oklahoma, where the 

daily bag limit may not exceed 8 Canada 

and cackling geese in the aggregate, and 

in North Dakota and South Dakota, 

where the daily bag limit may not 

exceed 15 Canada and cackling geese in 

the aggregate. Areas open to the hunting 

of Canada and cackling geese must be 

described, delineated, and designated as 

such in each State’s hunting regulations. 

Shooting Hours: One-half hour before 

sunrise to sunset, except that during 

September 1–15 shooting hours may 

extend to one-half hour after sunset if 

all other waterfowl and crane seasons 

are closed in the specific applicable 

area. 

Regular Goose Seasons 

Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and 

Limits 

Outside Dates: For dark geese, seasons 

may be selected between the outside 

dates of the Saturday nearest September 

24 (September 25) and the Sunday 

nearest February 15 (February 13). For 

light geese, outside dates for seasons 

may be selected between the Saturday 

nearest September 24 (September 25) 

and March 10. In the Rainwater Basin 

Light Goose Area (East and West) of 

Nebraska, temporal and spatial 

restrictions that are consistent with the 

late-winter snow goose hunting strategy 

cooperatively developed by the Central 

Flyway Council and the Service are 

required. 

Dark Geese: In Kansas, Nebraska, 

North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, 

and the Eastern Goose Zone of Texas, 

States may select a season for Canada 

and cackling geese (or any other dark 

goose species except white-fronted 

geese) not to exceed 107 days with a 

daily bag limit of 8 in the aggregate. For 

white-fronted geese, these States may 

select either a season of 74 days with a 

bag limit of 3, or an 88-day season with 

a bag limit of 2, or a season of 107 days 

with a bag limit of 1. 

In Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, 

and Wyoming, States may select seasons 

not to exceed 107 days. The daily bag 

limit for dark geese is 5 in the aggregate. 

In the Western Goose Zone of Texas, 

the season may not exceed 95 days. The 

daily bag limit for Canada and cackling 

geese (or any other dark goose species 

except white-fronted geese) is 5 in the 

aggregate. The daily bag limit for whitefronted geese is 2. 

Light Geese: States may select a light 

goose season not to exceed 107 days. 

The daily bag limit for light geese is 50 

with no possession limit. 

Split Seasons: Seasons for geese may 

be split into 3 segments. Three-segment 

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. 

Pacific Flyway 

Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots 

Outside Dates: Between the Saturday 

nearest September 24 (September 25) 

and January 31. 

Hunting Seasons and Duck and 

Merganser Limits: 107 days. The daily 

bag limit is 7 ducks and mergansers, 

including no more than 2 female 

mallards, 1 pintail, 2 canvasbacks, 2 

scaup, and 2 redheads. For scaup, the 

season length is 86 days, which may be 

split according to applicable zones and 

split duck hunting configurations 

approved for each State. 

Coot and Gallinule Limits: The daily 

bag limit of coots and gallinules is 25 in 

the aggregate. 

Zoning and Split Seasons: Montana 

and New Mexico may split their seasons 

into 3 segments. Arizona, Colorado, 

Oregon, Utah, Washington, and 

Wyoming may select seasons in each of 

2 zones; Nevada may select seasons in 

each of 3 zones; and California may 

select seasons in each of 5 zones; and all 

these States may split their season in 

each zone into 2 segments. Idaho may 

select seasons in each of 4 zones. 

Colorado River Zone, California: 

Seasons and limits should be the same 

as seasons and limits selected in the 

adjacent portion of Arizona (South 

Zone). 

Geese 

Special Early Canada and Cackling 

Goose Seasons 

A Canada and cackling goose season 

of not more than 15 days during 

September 1–20 may be selected. The 

daily bag limit may not exceed 5 Canada 

and cackling geese in the aggregate, 

except in Pacific County, Washington, 

where the daily bag limit may not 

exceed 15 Canada and cackling geese in 

the aggregate. Areas open to hunting of 

Canada and cackling geese in each State 

must be described, delineated, and 

designated as such in each State’s 

hunting regulations. 

Regular Goose Seasons 

Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and 

Limits 

Canada Geese, Cackling Geese, and 

Brant: Except as subsequently provided, 

107-day seasons may be selected with 

outside dates between the Saturday 

nearest September 24 (September 25) 

and January 31. In Arizona, Colorado, 

Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, 

Utah, and Wyoming, the daily bag limit 

is 4 Canada and cackling geese and 

brant in the aggregate. In California, 

Oregon, and Washington, the daily bag 

limit is 4 Canada and cackling geese in 

the aggregate. For brant, in California, 

Oregon and Washington, the season 

lengths and daily bag limits will be 

based on the upcoming Winter Brant 

Survey results and the Pacific brant 

harvest strategy. Days must be 

consecutive. Washington and California 

may select hunting seasons for up to 2 

zones. The daily bag limit is 2 brant and 

is in addition to other goose limits. In 

Oregon and California, the brant season 

must end no later than December 15. 

White-fronted Geese: Except as 

subsequently provided, 107-day seasons 

may be selected with outside dates 

between the Saturday nearest September 

24 (September 25) and March 10. The 

daily bag limit is 10. 

Light Geese: Except as subsequently 

provided, 107-day seasons may be 

selected with outside dates between the 

Saturday nearest September 24 

(September 25) and March 10. The daily 

bag limit is 20. 

Split Seasons: Seasons may be split 

into 3 segments. Three-segment seasons 

for Canada geese and white-fronted 


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10636 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 33 / Monday, February 22, 2021 / Proposed Rule 

geese require Pacific Flyway Council 

and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

approval and a 3-year evaluation by 

each participating State. 

California 

The daily bag limit for Canada and 

cackling geese is 10 in the aggregate. 

Balance of State Zone: A Canada and 

cackling goose season may be selected 

with outside dates between the Saturday 

nearest September 24 (September 25) 

and March 10. In the Sacramento Valley 

Special Management Area, the season 

on white-fronted geese must end on or 

before December 28, and the daily bag 

limit is 3 white-fronted geese. In the 

North Coast Special Management Area, 

hunting days that occur after January 31 

should be concurrent with Oregon’s 

South Coast Zone. 

Northeastern Zone: The white-fronted 

goose season may be split into 3 

segments. 

Oregon 

Eastern Zone: For Lake County only, 

the daily white-fronted goose bag limit 

is 1. 

Northwest Permit Zone: A Canada and 

cackling goose season may be selected 

with outside dates between the Saturday 

nearest September 24 (September 25) 

and March 10. Canada and cackling 

goose and white-fronted goose seasons 

may be split into 3 segments. In the 

Tillamook County Management Area, 

the hunting season is closed on geese. 

South Coast Zone: A Canada and 

cackling goose season may be selected 

with outside dates between the Saturday 

nearest September 24 (September 25) 

and March 10. Canada and cackling 

goose and white-fronted goose seasons 

may be split into 3 segments. The daily 

bag limit of Canada and cackling geese 

is 6 in the aggregate. Hunting days that 

occur after January 31 should be 

concurrent with California’s North Coast 

Special Management Area. 

Utah 

A Canada and cackling goose and 

brant season may be selected in the 

Wasatch Front Zone with outside dates 

between the Saturday nearest September 

24 (September 25) and the first Sunday 

in February (February 6). 

Washington 

The daily bag limit for light geese is 

10 on or before the last Sunday in 

January (January 30). 

Areas 2 Inland and 2 Coastal 

(Southwest Permit Zone): A Canada and 

cackling goose season may be selected 

in each zone with outside dates between 

the Saturday nearest September 24 

(September 25) and March 10. Canada 

and cackling goose and white-fronted 

goose seasons may be split into 3 

segments. 

Area 4: Canada and cackling goose 

and white-fronted goose seasons may be 

split into 3 segments. 

Permit Zones 

In Oregon and Washington permit 

zones, the hunting season is closed on 

dusky Canada geese. A dusky Canada 

goose is any dark-breasted Canada goose 

(Munsell 10 YR color value 5 or less) 

with a bill length between 40 and 50 

millimeters. Hunting of geese will only 

be by hunters possessing a State-issued 

permit authorizing them to do so. 

Shooting hours for geese may begin no 

earlier than sunrise. Regular Canada and 

cackling goose seasons in the permit 

zones of Oregon and Washington remain 

subject to the Memorandum of 

Understanding entered into with the 

Service regarding monitoring the 

impacts of take during the regular 

Canada and cackling goose season on 

the dusky Canada goose population. 

Swans 

Pacific Flyway 

In portions of the Pacific Flyway 

(Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Utah), an 

open season for taking a limited number 

of swans may be selected. These seasons 

are also subject to the following 

conditions: 

Outside Dates: Between the Saturday 

nearest September 24 (September 25) 

and January 31. 

Hunting Seasons: Seasons may not 

exceed 107 days, and may be split into 

2 segments. 

Permits: Swan hunting is by permit 

only. Permits will be issued by the State 

and will authorize each permittee to 

take no more than 1 swan per season 

with each permit. Only 1 permit may be 

issued per hunter in Montana and Utah, 

2 permits may be issued per hunter in 

Nevada. The total number of permits 

issued may not exceed 50 in Idaho, 500 

in Montana, 650 in Nevada, and 2,750 

in Utah. 

Quotas: The swan season in the 

respective State must end upon 

attainment of the following reported 

harvest of trumpeter swans: 20 in Utah 

and 10 in Nevada. There is no quota in 

Montana. 

Monitoring: Each State must evaluate 

hunter participation, species-specific 

swan harvest, and hunter compliance in 

providing either species-determinant 

parts (at least the intact head) or bill 

measurements (bill length from tip to 

posterior edge of the nares opening, and 

presence or absence of yellow lore spots 

on the bill in front of the eyes) of 

harvested swans for species 

identification. Each State should use 

appropriate measures to maximize 

hunter compliance with the State’s 

program for swan harvest reporting. 

Each State must achieve a hunter 

compliance of at least 80 percent in 

providing species-determinant parts or 

bill measurements of harvested swans 

for species identification or subsequent 

permits will be reduced by 10 percent 

in the respective State. Each State must 

provide to the Service by June 30 

following the swan season a report 

detailing hunter participation, speciesspecific swan harvest, and hunter 

compliance in reporting harvest. In 

Idaho and Montana, all hunters that 

harvest a swan must complete and 

submit a reporting card (bill card) with 

the bill measurement and color 

information from the harvested swan 

within 72 hours of harvest for species 

determination. In Utah and Nevada, all 

hunters that harvest a swan must have 

the swan or species-determinant parts 

examined by a State or Federal biologist 

within 72 hours of harvest for species 

determination. 

Other Provisions: In Utah, the season 

is subject to the terms of the 

Memorandum of Agreement entered 

into with the Service in January 2019 

regarding harvest monitoring, season 

closure procedures, and education 

requirements to minimize take of 

trumpeter swans during the swan 

season. 

Atlantic and Central Flyways 

In portions of the Atlantic Flyway 

(Delaware, North Carolina, and Virginia) 

and the Central Flyway (North Dakota, 

South Dakota [east of the Missouri 

River], and that portion of Montana in 

the Central Flyway), an open season for 

taking a limited number of swans may 

be selected. Permits will be issued by 

the States that authorize the take of no 

more than 1 swan per permit. A second 

permit may be issued to hunters from 

unused permits remaining after the first 

drawing. 

Monitoring: Each State must evaluate 

hunter participation, species-specific 

swan harvest, and hunter compliance in 

providing measurements of harvested 

swans for species identification. Each 

State should use appropriate measures 

to maximize hunter compliance with 

the State’s program for swan harvest 

reporting. Each State must achieve a 

hunter compliance of at least 80 percent 

in providing species-determinant 

measurements of harvested swans for 

species identification. Each State must 

provide to the Service by June 30 

following the swan season a report 

detailing hunter participation, speciesVerDate Sep<11>2014 20:28 Feb 19, 2021 Jkt 253001 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4701 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\22FEP2.SGM 22FEP2

tkelley on DSKBCP9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS2
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 33 / Monday, February 22, 2021 / Proposed Rule 10637 

specific swan harvest, and hunter 

compliance in reporting harvest. 

In lieu of a general swan hunting 

season, States may select a season only 

for tundra swans. States selecting a 

season only for tundra swans must 

obtain harvest and hunter participation 

data. 

These general swan seasons and 

tundra swan seasons are also subject to 

the following conditions: 

In the Atlantic Flyway 

—The season may be 90 days, between 

October 1 and January 31. 

—In Delaware, no more than 67 permits 

may be issued. The season is 

experimental. 

—In North Carolina, no more than 4,895 

permits may be issued. 

—In Virginia, no more than 638 permits 

may be issued. 

In the Central Flyway 

—The season may be 107 days, between 

the Saturday nearest October 1 

(October 2) and January 31. 

—In the Central Flyway portion of 

Montana, no more than 500 permits 

may be issued. 

—In North Dakota, no more than 2,200 

permits may be issued. 

—In South Dakota, no more than 1,300 

permits may be issued. 

Sandhill Cranes 

Regular Seasons in the Mississippi 

Flyway 

Outside Dates: Between September 1 

and February 28 in Minnesota, and 

between September 1 and January 31 in 

Alabama, Kentucky and Tennessee. 

Hunting Seasons: A season not to 

exceed 37 consecutive days may be 

selected in the designated portion of 

northwestern Minnesota (Northwest 

Goose Zone), and a season not to exceed 

60 consecutive days in Alabama, 

Kentucky, and Tennessee. The season in 

Alabama is experimental. 

Daily Bag Limit: 1 sandhill crane in 

Minnesota, 2 sandhill cranes in 

Kentucky, and 3 sandhill cranes in 

Alabama and Tennessee. In Alabama, 

Kentucky, and Tennessee, the seasonal 

bag limit is 3 sandhill cranes. 

Permits: Each person participating in 

the regular sandhill crane seasons must 

have a valid State sandhill crane 

hunting permit. 

Other Provisions: The number of 

permits (where applicable), open areas, 

season dates, protection plans for other 

species, and other provisions of seasons 

must be consistent with the 

management plans and approved by the 

Mississippi Flyway Council. 

Regular Seasons in the Central Flyway 

Outside Dates: Between September 1 

and February 28. 

Hunting Seasons: Seasons not to 

exceed 37 consecutive days may be 

selected in a designated portion of 

Texas (Zone C). Seasons not to exceed 

58 consecutive days may be selected in 

designated portions of the following 

States: Colorado, Kansas, Montana, 

North Dakota, South Dakota, and 

Wyoming. Seasons not to exceed 93 

consecutive days may be selected in 

designated portions of the following 

States: New Mexico, Oklahoma, and 

Texas. 

Daily Bag Limits: 3 sandhill cranes, 

except 2 sandhill cranes in designated 

portions of North Dakota (Area 2) and 

Texas (Zone C). 

Permits: Each person participating in 

the regular sandhill crane season must 

have a valid Federal or State sandhill 

crane hunting permit. 

Special Seasons in the Central and 

Pacific Flyways 

Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, 

New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming may 

select seasons for hunting sandhill 

cranes within the range of the Rocky 

Mountain Population (RMP) of sandhill 

cranes subject to the following 

conditions: 

Outside Dates: Between September 1 

and January 31. 

Hunting Seasons: The season in any 

State or zone may not exceed 60 days, 

and may be split into 3 segments. 

Bag limits: Not to exceed 3 daily and 

9 per season. 

Permits: Participants must have a 

valid permit, issued by the appropriate 

State, in their possession while hunting. 

Other Provisions: Numbers of permits, 

open areas, season dates, protection 

plans for other species, and other 

provisions of seasons must be consistent 

with the management plan and 

approved by the Central and Pacific 

Flyway Councils, with the following 

exceptions: 

A. In Utah, 100 percent of the harvest 

will be assigned to the RMP crane quota; 

B. In Arizona, monitoring the racial 

composition of the harvest must be 

conducted at 3-year intervals unless 100 

percent of the harvest will be assigned 

to the RMP crane quota; 

C. In Idaho, 100 percent of the harvest 

will be assigned to the RMP crane quota; 

and 

D. In the Estancia Valley hunt area of 

New Mexico, the level and racial 

composition of the harvest must be 

monitored; greater sandhill cranes in the 

harvest will be assigned to the RMP 

crane quota. 

Gallinules 

Outside Dates: Between September 1 

and January 31 in the Atlantic, 

Mississippi, and Central Flyways. States 

in the Pacific Flyway may select their 

hunting seasons between the outside 

dates for the season on ducks, 

mergansers, and coots; therefore, Pacific 

Flyway frameworks for gallinules are 

included with the duck, merganser, and 

coot frameworks. 

Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag 

Limits: Seasons may not exceed 70 days 

in the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central 

Flyways. Seasons may be split into 2 

segments. The daily bag limit is 15 

gallinules in the aggregate. 

Zoning: Seasons may be selected by 

zones established for duck hunting. 

Rails 

Outside Dates: States included herein 

may select seasons between September 

1 and January 31 on clapper, king, sora, 

and Virginia rails. 

Hunting Seasons: Seasons may not 

exceed 70 days, and may be split into 

2 segments. 

Daily Bag Limits 

Clapper and King Rails: In 

Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New 

Jersey, and Rhode Island, 10 rails in the 

aggregate. In Alabama, Florida, Georgia, 

Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, 

South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia, 15 

rails in the aggregate. 

Sora and Virginia Rails: In the 

Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central 

Flyways and the Pacific Flyway 

portions of Colorado, Montana, New 

Mexico, and Wyoming, 25 rails in the 

aggregate. The season is closed in the 

remainder of the Pacific Flyway. 

Snipe 

Outside Dates: Between September 1 

and February 28, except in Connecticut, 

Delaware, Maine, Maryland, 

Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New 

Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, 

Vermont, and Virginia, where the 

season must end no later than January 

31. 

Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag 

Limits: Seasons may not exceed 107 

days and may be split into 2 segments. 

The daily bag limit is 8 snipe. 

Zoning: Seasons may be selected by 

zones established for duck hunting. 

American Woodcock 

Outside Dates: States in the Eastern 

and Central Management Regions may 

select hunting seasons between 

September 13 and January 31. 

Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag 

Limits: Seasons may not exceed 45 days 

in the Eastern and Central Regions. The 


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10638 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 33 / Monday, February 22, 2021 / Proposed Rule 

daily bag limit is 3. Seasons may be split 

into 2 segments. 

Zoning: New Jersey may select 

seasons in each of two zones. The 

season in each zone may not exceed 36 

days. 

Band-Tailed Pigeons 

Pacific Coast States (California, Oregon, 

Washington, and Nevada) 

Outside Dates: Between September 15 

and January 1. 

Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag 

Limits: Not more than 9 consecutive 

days, with a daily bag limit of 2. 

Zoning: California may select hunting 

seasons not to exceed 9 consecutive 

days in each of 2 zones. The season in 

the North Zone must close by October 

3. 

Four-Corners States (Arizona, Colorado, 

New Mexico, and Utah) 

Outside Dates: Between September 1 

and November 30. 

Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag 

Limits: Not more than 14 consecutive 

days, with a daily bag limit of 2. 

Zoning: New Mexico may select 

hunting seasons not to exceed 14 

consecutive days in each of 2 zones. The 

season in the South Zone may not open 

until October 1. 

Doves 

Outside Dates: Between September 1 

and January 31 in the Eastern 

Management Unit, and between 

September 1 and January 15 in the 

Central and Western Management Units, 

except as subsequently provided, States 

may select hunting seasons and daily 

bag limits as follows: 

Eastern Management Unit 

Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag 

Limits: Not more than 90 days, with a 

daily bag limit of 15 mourning and 

white-winged doves in the aggregate. 

Zoning and Split Seasons: Seasons 

may be split into 3 segments; Alabama, 

Louisiana, and Mississippi may select 

seasons in each of 2 zones, and may 

split their season in each zone into 3 

segments. 

Central Management Unit 

For All States Except Texas 

Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag 

Limits: Not more than 90 days, with a 

daily bag limit of 15 mourning and 

white-winged doves in the aggregate. 

Zoning and Split Seasons: Seasons 

may be split into 3 segments; New 

Mexico may select seasons in each of 2 

zones and may split their season in each 

zone into 3 segments. 

Texas 

Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag 

Limits: Not more than 90 days, with a 

daily bag limit of 15 mourning, whitewinged, and white-tipped doves in the 

aggregate, of which no more than 2 may 

be white-tipped doves. 

Zoning and Split Seasons: Texas may 

select hunting seasons for each of 3 

zones subject to the following 

conditions: 

A. The season may be split into 2 

segments, except in that portion of 

Texas in which the special whitewinged dove season is allowed, where 

a limited take of mourning and whitetipped doves may also occur during that 

special season (see Special Whitewinged Dove Area in Texas, below). 

B. A season may be selected for the 

North and Central Zones between 

September 1 and January 25; and for the 

South Zone between September 14 and 

January 25. 

Special White-Winged Dove Area in 

Texas 

In addition, Texas may select a 

hunting season of not more than 6 days, 

consisting of two 3-consecutive-day 

periods, for the Special White-winged 

Dove Area between September 1 and 

September 19. The daily bag limit may 

not exceed 15 white-winged, mourning, 

and white-tipped doves in the aggregate, 

of which no more than 2 may be 

mourning doves and no more than 2 

may be white-tipped doves. Shooting 

hours are from noon to sunset. 

Western Management Unit 

Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits 

Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and 

Washington: Not more than 60 days. 

The daily bag limit is 15 mourning and 

white-winged doves in the aggregate. 

Arizona and California: Not more 

than 60 days, which may be split 

between 2 segments, September 1–15 

and November 1–January 15. In 

Arizona, during the first segment of the 

season, the daily bag limit is 15 

mourning and white-winged doves in 

the aggregate, of which no more than 10 

could be white-winged doves. During 

the remainder of the season, the daily 

bag limit is 15 mourning doves. In 

California, the daily bag limit is 15 

mourning and white-winged doves in 

the aggregate, of which no more than 10 

could be white-winged doves. 

Zoning and Split Seasons: Arizona, 

California, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, and 

Washington may split their seasons into 

2 segments. Oregon may select hunting 

seasons in each of 2 zones and may split 

their season in each zone into 2 

segments. 

Alaska 

Outside Dates: Between September 1 

and January 26. 

Hunting Seasons: Except as 

subsequently provided, not more than 

107 consecutive days for waterfowl 

(except brant), sandhill cranes, and 

snipe concurrent in each of 5 zones. The 

season length for brant will be 

determined based on the upcoming 

brant winter survey results and the 

Pacific brant harvest strategy. The 

season may be split into 2 segments in 

the Southeast Zone. 

Closures: The hunting season is 

closed on spectacled eiders and Steller’s 

eiders. 

Daily Bag and Possession Limits 

Ducks: Except as subsequently 

provided, the basic daily bag limit is 7 

ducks. Basic daily bag limit in the North 

Zone is 10, and in the Gulf Coast Zone 

is 8. The basic daily bag limits may 

include no more than 2 canvasbacks 

daily and may not include sea ducks. 

In addition to the basic daily bag 

limits, Alaska may select sea duck limits 

of 10 daily in the aggregate, including 

no more than 6 each of either harlequin 

or long-tailed ducks. Sea ducks include 

scoters, common and king eiders, 

harlequin ducks, long-tailed ducks, and 

common, hooded, and red-breasted 

mergansers. 

Light Geese: The daily bag limit is 6. 

Canada and Cackling Geese: The 

daily bag limit is 4 Canada and cackling 

geese in the aggregate with the following 

exceptions: 

A. In Units 5 and 6, the taking of 

Canada and cackling geese is permitted 

from September 28 through December 

16. 

B. On Middleton Island in Unit 6, a 

special, permit-only Canada and 

cackling goose season may be offered. A 

mandatory goose identification class is 

required. Hunters must check in and 

check out. The daily bag and possession 

limits are 1 Canada or cackling goose. 

The season will close if incidental 

harvest includes 5 dusky Canada geese. 

A dusky Canada goose is any darkbreasted Canada goose (Munsell 10 YR 

color value 5 or less) with a bill length 

between 40 and 50 millimeters. 

C. In Units 9, 10, 17, and 18, the daily 

bag limit is 6 Canada and cackling geese 

in the aggregate. 

White-fronted Geese: The daily bag 

limit is 4 with the following exceptions: 

A. In Units 9, 10, and 17, the daily bag 

limit is 6 white-fronted geese. 

B. In Unit 18, the daily bag limit is 10 

white-fronted geese. 

Emperor Geese: Open seasons for 

emperor geese may be selected subject 

to the following conditions: 


tkelley on DSKBCP9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS2
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 33 / Monday, February 22, 2021 / Proposed Rule 10639 

A. All seasons are by permit only. 

B. No more than 1 emperor goose may 

be harvested per hunter per season. 

C. Total harvest may not exceed 500 

emperor geese. 

D. In State Game Management Unit 8, 

the Kodiak Island Road Area is closed 

to hunting. The Kodiak Island Road 

Area consists of all lands and water 

(including exposed tidelands) east of a 

line extending from Crag Point in the 

north to the west end of Saltery Cove in 

the south and all lands and water south 

of a line extending from Termination 

Point along the north side of Cascade 

Lake extending to Anton Larsen Bay. 

Marine waters adjacent to the closed 

area are closed to harvest within 500 

feet from the water’s edge. The offshore 

islands are open to harvest, for example: 

Woody, Long, Gull, and Puffin islands. 

Brant: The daily bag limit will be 

determined based on the upcoming 

brant winter survey results and the 

Pacific brant harvest strategy. 

Snipe: The daily bag limit is 8. 

Sandhill Cranes: The daily bag limit 

is 2 in the Southeast, Gulf Coast, 

Kodiak, and Aleutian Zones, and Unit 

17 in the North Zone. In the remainder 

of the North Zone (outside Unit 17), the 

daily bag limit is 3. 

Tundra Swans: Open seasons for 

tundra swans may be selected subject to 

the following conditions: 

A. All seasons are by permit only. 

B. All season framework dates are 

September 1–October 31. 

C. In Unit 17, no more than 200 

permits may be issued during this 

operational season. No more than 3 

tundra swans may be authorized per 

permit, with no more than 1 permit 

issued per hunter per season. 

D. In Unit 18, no more than 500 

permits may be issued during the 

operational season. No more than 3 

tundra swans may be authorized per 

permit. No more than 1 permit may be 

issued per hunter per season. 

E. In Unit 22, no more than 300 

permits may be issued during the 

operational season. No more than 3 

tundra swans may be authorized per 

permit. No more than 1 permit may be 

issued per hunter per season. 

F. In Unit 23, no more than 300 

permits may be issued during the 

operational season. No more than 3 

tundra swans may be authorized per 

permit. No more than 1 permit may be 

issued per hunter per season. 

Hawaii 

Outside Dates: Between October 1 and 

January 31. 

Hunting Seasons: Not more than 65 

days (75 under the alternative) for 

mourning doves. 

Bag Limits: Not to exceed 15 (12 

under the alternative) mourning doves. 

Note: Mourning doves may be taken in 

Hawaii in accordance with shooting hours 

and other regulations set by the State of 

Hawaii, and subject to the applicable 

provisions of 50 CFR part 20. 

Puerto Rico 

Doves and Pigeons 

Outside Dates: Between September 1 

and January 15. 

Hunting Seasons: Not more than 60 

days. 

Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Not 

to exceed 30 Zenaida, mourning, and 

white-winged doves in the aggregate, of 

which not more than 10 may be Zenaida 

doves and 3 may be mourning doves. 

Not to exceed 5 scaly-naped pigeons. 

Closed Seasons: The season is closed 

on the white-crowned pigeon and the 

plain pigeon, which are protected by the 

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. 

Closed Areas: There is no open season 

on doves or pigeons in the following 

areas: Municipality of Culebra, 

Desecheo Island, Mona Island, El Verde 

Closure Area, and Cidra Municipality 

and adjacent areas. 

Ducks, Coots, Gallinules, and Snipe 

Outside Dates: Between October 1 and 

January 31. 

Hunting Seasons: Not more than 55 

days may be selected for hunting ducks, 

common gallinules, and snipe. The 

season may be split into 2 segments. 

Daily Bag Limits 

Ducks: Not to exceed 6 ducks. 

Common Gallinules: Not to exceed 6 

common gallinules. 

Snipe: Not to exceed 8 snipe. 

Closed Seasons: The season is closed 

on ruddy duck, white-cheeked pintail, 

West Indian whistling duck, fulvous 

whistling duck, and masked duck, 

which are protected by the 

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The 

season is closed for purple gallinule, 

American coot, and Caribbean coot. 

Closed Areas: There is no open season 

on ducks, common gallinules, and snipe 

in the Municipality of Culebra and on 

Desecheo Island. 

Virgin Islands 

Doves and Pigeons 

Outside Dates: Between September 1 

and January 15. 

Hunting Seasons: Not more than 60 

consecutive days. 

Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Not 

to exceed 10 Zenaida doves. 

Closed Seasons: No open season is 

prescribed for ground or quail doves or 

pigeons. 

Closed Areas: There is no open season 

for migratory game birds on Ruth Cay 

(just south of St. Croix). 

Local Names for Certain Birds: 

Zenaida dove, also known as mountain 

dove; bridled quail-dove, also known as 

Barbary dove or partridge; common 

ground-dove, also known as stone dove, 

tobacco dove, rola, or tortolita; scalynaped pigeon, also known as red-necked 

or scaled pigeon. 

Ducks 

Outside Dates: Between December 1 

and January 31. 

Hunting Seasons: Not more than 55 

consecutive days. 

Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 6 

ducks. 

Closed Seasons: The season is closed 

on the ruddy duck, white-cheeked 

pintail, West Indian whistling duck, 

fulvous whistling duck, and masked 

duck. 

Special Falconry Regulations 

In accordance with 50 CFR 21.29, 

falconry is a permitted means of taking 

migratory game birds in any State 

except for Hawaii. States may select an 

extended season for taking migratory 

game birds in accordance with the 

following: 

Extended Seasons: For all hunting 

methods combined, the combined 

length of the extended season, regular 

season, and any special or experimental 

seasons must not exceed 107 days for 

any species or group of species in a 

geographical area. Each extended season 

may be split into 3 segments. 

Outside Dates: Seasons must fall 

between September 1 and March 10. 

Daily Bag Limits: Falconry daily bag 

limits for all permitted migratory game 

birds must not exceed 3 birds in the 

aggregate, during extended falconry 

seasons, any special or experimental 

seasons, and regular hunting seasons in 

all States, including those that do not 

select an extended falconry season. 

Regular Seasons: General hunting 

regulations, including seasons and 

hunting hours, apply to falconry. 

Regular season bag limits do not apply 

to falconry. The falconry bag limit is not 

in addition to shooting limits. 

Area, Unit, and Zone Descriptions 

Ducks (Including Mergansers) and Coots 

Atlantic Flyway 

Connecticut 

North Zone: That portion of the State 

north of I-95. 

South Zone: Remainder of the State. 


tkelley on DSKBCP9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS2
10640 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 33 / Monday, February 22, 2021 / Proposed Rule 

Maine 

North Zone: That portion north of the 

line extending east along Maine State 

Highway 110 from the New HampshireMaine State line to the intersection of 

Maine State Highway 11 in Newfield; 

then north and east along Route 11 to 

the intersection of U.S. Route 202 in 

Auburn; then north and east on Route 

202 to the intersection of I-95 in 

Augusta; then north and east along I-95 

to Route 15 in Bangor; then east along 

Route 15 to Route 9; then east along 

Route 9 to Stony Brook in Baileyville; 

then east along Stony Brook to the U.S. 

border. 

Coastal Zone: That portion south of a 

line extending east from the Maine-New 

Brunswick border in Calais at the Route 

1 Bridge; then south along Route 1 to 

the Maine-New Hampshire border in 

Kittery. 

South Zone: Remainder of the State. 

Maryland 

Western Zone: Allegany, Carroll, 

Garrett, Frederick and Washington 

Counties; and those portions of 

Baltimore, Howard, Prince George’s, and 

Montgomery Counties west of a line 

beginning at I-83 at the Pennsylvania 

state line, following I-83 south to the 

intersection of I-83 and I-695 (Outer 

Loop), south following I-695 (Outer 

Loop) to its intersection with I-95, south 

following I-95 to its intersection with I495 (Outer Loop), and following I-495 

(Outer Loop) to the Virginia shore of the 

Potomac River. 

Eastern Zone: That portion of the 

State not included in the Western Zone. 

Special Teal Season Area: Calvert, 

Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Harford, 

Kent, Queen Anne’s, St. Mary’s, 

Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and 

Worcester Counties; that part of Anne 

Arundel County east of Interstate 895, 

Interstate 97, and Route 3; that part of 

Prince George’s County east of Route 3 

and Route 301; and that part of Charles 

County east of Route 301 to the Virginia 

State Line. 

Massachusetts 

Western Zone: That portion of the 

State west of a line extending south 

from the Vermont State line on I-91 to 

MA 9, west on MA 9 to MA 10, south 

on MA 10 to U.S. 202, south on U.S. 202 

to the Connecticut State line. 

Central Zone: That portion of the 

State east of the Berkshire Zone and 

west of a line extending south from the 

New Hampshire State line on I-95 to 

U.S. 1, south on U.S. 1 to I-93, south on 

I-93 to MA 3, south on MA 3 to U.S. 6, 

west on U.S. 6 to MA 28, west on MA 

28 to I-195, west to the Rhode Island 

State line; except the waters, and the 

lands 150 yards inland from the highwater mark, of the Assonet River 

upstream to the MA 24 bridge, and the 

Taunton River upstream to the Center 

Street-Elm Street bridge shall be in the 

Coastal Zone. 

Coastal Zone: That portion of 

Massachusetts east and south of the 

Central Zone. 

New Hampshire 

Northern Zone: That portion of the 

State east and north of the Inland Zone 

beginning at the Jct. of Route 10 and 

Route 25-A in Orford, east on Route 

25-A to Route 25 in Wentworth, 

southeast on Route 25 to Exit 26 of 

Route I-93 in Plymouth, south on Route 

I-93 to Route 3 at Exit 24 of Route I-93 

in Ashland, northeast on Route 3 to 

Route 113 in Holderness, north on 

Route 113 to Route 113-A in Sandwich, 

north on Route 113-A to Route 113 in 

Tamworth, east on Route 113 to Route 

16 in Chocorua, north on Route 16 to 

Route 302 in Conway, east on Route 302 

to the Maine-New Hampshire border. 

Inland Zone: That portion of the State 

south and west of the Northern Zone, 

west of the Coastal Zone, and includes 

the area of Vermont and New 

Hampshire as described for hunting 

reciprocity. A person holding a New 

Hampshire hunting license that allows 

the taking of migratory waterfowl or a 

person holding a Vermont resident 

hunting license that allows the taking of 

migratory waterfowl may take migratory 

waterfowl and coots from the following 

designated area of the Inland Zone: The 

State of Vermont east of Route I-91 at 

the Massachusetts border, north on 

Route I-91 to Route 2, north on Route 2 

to Route 102, north on Route 102 to 

Route 253, and north on Route 253 to 

the border with Canada and the area of 

New Hampshire west of Route 63 at the 

Massachusetts border, north on Route 

63 to Route 12, north on Route 12 to 

Route 12-A, north on Route 12-A to 

Route 10, north on Route 10 to Route 

135, north on Route 135 to Route 3, 

north on Route 3 to the intersection 

with the Connecticut River. 

Coastal Zone: That portion of the 

State east of a line beginning at the 

Maine-New Hampshire border in 

Rollinsford, then extending to Route 4 

west to the city of Dover, south to the 

intersection of Route 108, south along 

Route 108 through Madbury, Durham, 

and Newmarket to the junction of Route 

85 in Newfields, south to Route 101 in 

Exeter, east to Interstate 95 (New 

Hampshire Turnpike) in Hampton, and 

south to the Massachusetts border. 

New Jersey 

Coastal Zone: That portion of the 

State seaward of a line beginning at the 

New York State line in Raritan Bay and 

extending west along the New York 

State line to NJ 440 at Perth Amboy; 

west on NJ 440 to the Garden State 

Parkway; south on the Garden State 

Parkway to NJ 109; south on NJ 109 to 

Cape May County Route 633 (Lafayette 

Street); south on Lafayette Street to 

Jackson Street; south on Jackson Street 

to the shoreline at Cape May; west along 

the shoreline of Cape May beach to 

COLREGS Demarcation Line 80.503 at 

Cape May Point; south along COLREGS 

Demarcation Line 80.503 to the 

Delaware State line in Delaware Bay. 

North Zone: That portion of the State 

west of the Coastal Zone and north of 

a line extending west from the Garden 

State Parkway on NJ 70 to the New 

Jersey Turnpike, north on the turnpike 

to U.S. 206, north on U.S. 206 to U.S. 

1 at Trenton, west on U.S. 1 to the 

Pennsylvania State line in the Delaware 

River. 

South Zone: That portion of the State 

not within the North Zone or the Coastal 

Zone. 

New York 

Lake Champlain Zone: That area east 

and north of a continuous line 

extending along U.S. 11 from the New 

York-Canada International boundary 

south to NY 9B, south along NY 9B to 

U.S. 9, south along U.S. 9 to NY 22 

south of Keesville; south along NY 22 to 

the west shore of South Bay, along and 

around the shoreline of South Bay to NY 

22 on the east shore of South Bay; 

southeast along NY 22 to U.S. 4, 

northeast along U.S. 4 to the Vermont 

State line. 

Long Island Zone: That area 

consisting of Nassau County, Suffolk 

County, that area of Westchester County 

southeast of I-95, and their tidal waters. 

Western Zone: That area west of a line 

extending from Lake Ontario east along 

the north shore of the Salmon River to 

I-81, and south along I-81 to the 

Pennsylvania State line. 

Northeastern Zone: That area north of 

a continuous line extending from Lake 

Ontario east along the north shore of the 

Salmon River to I-81, south along I-81 

to NY 31, east along NY 31 to NY 13, 

north along NY 13 to NY 49, east along 

NY 49 to NY 365, east along NY 365 to 

NY 28, east along NY 28 to NY 29, east 

along NY 29 to NY 22, north along NY 

22 to Washington County Route 153, 

east along CR 153 to the New YorkVermont boundary, exclusive of the 

Lake Champlain Zone. 

Southeastern Zone: The remaining 

portion of New York. 


tkelley on DSKBCP9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS2
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 33 / Monday, February 22, 2021 / Proposed Rule 10641 

North Carolina 

Coastal Zone: All counties and 

portions of counties east of I-95. 

Inland Zone: All counties and 

portions of counties west of I-95. 

Pennsylvania 

Lake Erie Zone: The Lake Erie waters 

of Pennsylvania and a shoreline margin 

along Lake Erie from New York on the 

east to Ohio on the west extending 150 

yards inland, but including all of 

Presque Isle Peninsula. 

Northwest Zone: The area bounded on 

the north by the Lake Erie Zone and 

including all of Erie and Crawford 

Counties and those portions of Mercer 

and Venango Counties north of I-80. 

North Zone: That portion of the State 

east of the Northwest Zone and north of 

a line extending east on I-80 to U.S. 220, 

Route 220 to I-180, I-180 to I-80, and I80 to the Delaware River. 

South Zone: The remaining portion of 

Pennsylvania. 

Vermont 

Lake Champlain Zone: The U.S. 

portion of Lake Champlain and that area 

north and west of the line extending 

from the New York border along U.S. 4 

to VT 22A at Fair Haven; VT 22A to U.S. 

7 at Vergennes; U.S. 7 to VT 78 at 

Swanton; VT 78 to VT 36; VT 36 to 

Maquam Bay on Lake Champlain; along 

and around the shoreline of Maquam 

Bay and Hog Island to VT 78 at the West 

Swanton Bridge; VT 78 to VT 2 in 

Alburg; VT 2 to the Richelieu River in 

Alburg; along the east shore of the 

Richelieu River to the Canadian border. 

Interior Zone: That portion of 

Vermont east of the Lake Champlain 

Zone and west of a line extending from 

the Massachusetts border at Interstate 

91; north along Interstate 91 to U.S. 2; 

east along U.S. 2 to VT 102; north along 

VT 102 to VT 253; north along VT 253 

to the Canadian border. 

Connecticut River Zone: The 

remaining portion of Vermont east of 

the Interior Zone. 

Virginia 

Western Zone: All counties and 

portions of counties west of I-95. 

Eastern Zone: All counties and 

portions of counties east of I-95. 

Mississippi Flyway 

Illinois 

North Zone: That portion of the State 

north of a line extending west from the 

Indiana border along Peotone-Beecher 

Road to Illinois Route 50, south along 

Illinois Route 50 to Wilmington-Peotone 

Road, west along Wilmington-Peotone 

Road to Illinois Route 53, north along 

Illinois Route 53 to New River Road, 

northwest along New River Road to 

Interstate Highway 55, south along I-55 

to Pine Bluff-Lorenzo Road, west along 

Pine Bluff-Lorenzo Road to Illinois 

Route 47, north along Illinois Route 47 

to I-80, west along I-80 to I-39, south 

along I-39 to Illinois Route 18, west 

along Illinois Route 18 to Illinois Route 

29, south along Illinois Route 29 to 

Illinois Route 17, west along Illinois 

Route 17 to the Mississippi River, and 

due south across the Mississippi River 

to the Iowa border. 

Central Zone: That portion of the 

State south of the North Duck Zone line 

to a line extending west from the 

Indiana border along I-70 to Illinois 

Route 4, south along Illinois Route 4 to 

Illinois Route 161, west along Illinois 

Route 161 to Illinois Route 158, south 

and west along Illinois Route 158 to 

Illinois Route 159, south along Illinois 

Route 159 to Illinois Route 3, south 

along Illinois Route 3 to St. Leo’s Road, 

south along St. Leo’s Road to Modoc 

Road, west along Modoc Road to Modoc 

Ferry Road, southwest along Modoc 

Ferry Road to Levee Road, southeast 

along Levee Road to County Route 12 

(Modoc Ferry entrance Road), south 

along County Route 12 to the Modoc 

Ferry route and southwest on the Modoc 

Ferry route across the Mississippi River 

to the Missouri border. 

South Zone: That portion of the State 

south and east of a line extending west 

from the Indiana border along Interstate 

70, south along U.S. Highway 45, to 

Illinois Route 13, west along Illinois 

Route 13 to Greenbriar Road, north on 

Greenbriar Road to Sycamore Road, 

west on Sycamore Road to N Reed 

Station Road, south on N Reed Station 

Road to Illinois Route 13, west along 

Illinois Route 13 to Illinois Route 127, 

south along Illinois Route 127 to State 

Forest Road (1025 N), west along State 

Forest Road to Illinois Route 3, north 

along Illinois Route 3 to the south bank 

of the Big Muddy River, west along the 

south bank of the Big Muddy River to 

the Mississippi River, west across the 

Mississippi River to the Missouri 

border. 

South Central Zone: The remainder of 

the State between the south border of 

the Central Zone and the North border 

of the South Zone. 

Indiana 

North Zone: That part of Indiana 

north of a line extending east from the 

Illinois border along State Road 18 to 

U.S. 31; north along U.S. 31 to U.S. 24; 

east along U.S. 24 to Huntington; 

southeast along U.S. 224; south along 

State Road 5; and east along State Road 

124 to the Ohio border. 

Central Zone: That part of Indiana 

south of the North Zone boundary and 

north of the South Zone boundary. 

South Zone: That part of Indiana 

south of a line extending east from the 

Illinois border along I-70; east along 

National Ave.; east along U.S. 150; 

south along U.S. 41; east along State 

Road 58; south along State Road 37 to 

Bedford; and east along U.S. 50 to the 

Ohio border. 

Iowa 

North Zone: That portion of Iowa 

north of a line beginning on the South 

Dakota-Iowa border at Interstate 29, 

southeast along Interstate 29 to State 

Highway 20 to the Iowa-Illinois border. 

The south duck hunting zone is that 

part of Iowa west of Interstate 29 and 

south of State Highway 92 east to the 

Iowa-Illinois border. The central duck 

hunting zone is the remainder of the 

state. 

Central Zone: The remainder of Iowa 

not included in the North and South 

zones. 

South Zone: The south duck hunting 

zone is that part of Iowa west of 

Interstate 29 and south of State Highway 

92 east to the Iowa-Illinois border. 

Kentucky 

West Zone: All counties west of and 

including Butler, Daviess, Ohio, 

Simpson, and Warren Counties. 

East Zone: The remainder of 

Kentucky. 

Louisiana 

East Zone: That area of the State 

beginning at the Arkansas border, then 

south on U.S. Hwy 79 to State Hwy 9, 

then south on State Hwy 9 to State Hwy 

147, then south on State Hwy 147 to 

U.S. Hwy 167, then south and east on 

U.S. Hwy 167 to U.S. Hwy 90, then 

south on U.S. Hwy 90 to the Mississippi 

State line. 

West Zone: Remainder of the State. 

Michigan 

North Zone: The Upper Peninsula. 

Middle Zone: That portion of the 

Lower Peninsula north of a line 

beginning at the Michigan-Wisconsin 

boundary line in Lake Michigan, 

directly due west of the mouth of 

Stoney Creek in section 31, T14N R18W, 

Oceana County, then proceed easterly 

and southerly along the centerline of 

Stoney Creek to its intersection with 

Scenic Drive, southerly on Scenic Drive 

to Stoney Lake Road in section 5, T13N 

R18W, Oceana County, easterly on 

Stoney Lake Road then both west and 

east Garfield Roads (name change only; 

not an intersection) then crossing 

highway U.S.-31 to State Highway M-20 


tkelley on DSKBCP9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS2
10642 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 33 / Monday, February 22, 2021 / Proposed Rule 

(north of the town of New Era; also 

locally named Hayes Road) in section 

33, T14N R17W, Oceana County, 

easterly on M-20 through Oceana, 

Newaygo, Mecosta, Isabella, and 

Midland Counties to highway U.S.-10 

business route in the city of Midland, 

easterly on U.S.-10 BR to highway U.S.- 

10 at the Bay County line, easterly on 

U.S.-10 then crossing U.S.-75 to State 

Highway M-25 (west of the town of Bay 

City), easterly along M-25 into Tuscola 

County then northeasterly and easterly 

on M-25 through Tuscola County into 

Huron County, turning southeasterly on 

M-25 (near the town of Huron City; also 

locally named North Shore Road) to the 

centerline of Willow Creek in section 4, 

T18N R14E, Huron County, then 

northerly along the centerline of Willow 

Creek to the mouth of Willow Creek into 

Lake Huron, then directly due east along 

a line from the mouth of Willow Creek 

heading east into Lake Huron to a point 

due east and on the Michigan/U.S.- 

Canadian border. 

South Zone: The remainder of 

Michigan. 

Minnesota 

North Duck Zone: That portion of the 

State north of a line extending east from 

the North Dakota State line along State 

Highway 210 to State Highway 23 and 

east to State Highway 39 and east to the 

Wisconsin State line at the Oliver 

Bridge. 

South Duck Zone: The portion of the 

State south of a line extending east from 

the South Dakota State line along U.S. 

Highway 212 to Interstate 494 and east 

to Interstate 94 and east to the 

Wisconsin State line. 

Central Duck Zone: The remainder of 

the State. 

Missouri 

North Zone: That portion of Missouri 

north of a line running west from the 

Illinois border at I-70; west on I-70 to 

Hwy 65; north on Hwy 65 to Hwy 41, 

north on Hwy 41 to Hwy 24; west on 

Hwy 24 to MO Hwy 10, west on Hwy 

10 to Hwy 69, north on Hwy 69 to MO 

Hwy 116, west on MO Hwy 116 to Hwy 

59, south on Hwy 59 to the Kansas 

border. 

Middle Zone: The remainder of 

Missouri not included in other zones. 

South Zone: That portion of Missouri 

south of a line running west from the 

Illinois border on MO Hwy 74 to MO 

Hwy 25; south on MO Hwy 25. to U.S. 

Hwy 62; west on U.S. Hwy 62 to MO 

Hwy 53; north on MO Hwy 53 to MO 

Hwy 51; north on MO Hwy 51 to U.S. 

Hwy 60; west on U.S. Hwy 60 to MO 

Hwy 21; north on MO Hwy 21 to MO 

Hwy 72; west on MO Hwy 72 to MO 

Hwy 32; west on MO Hwy 32 to U.S. 

Hwy 65; north on U.S. Hwy 65 to U.S. 

Hwy 54; west on U.S. Hwy 54 to the 

Kansas border. 

Ohio 

Lake Erie Marsh Zone: Includes all 

land and water within the boundaries of 

the area bordered by a line beginning at 

the intersection of Interstate 75 at the 

Ohio-Michigan State line and 

continuing south to Interstate 280, then 

south on I-280 to the Ohio Turnpike (I80/I-90), then east on the Ohio Turnpike 

to the Erie-Lorain County line, then 

north to Lake Erie, then following the 

Lake Erie shoreline at a distance of 200 

yards offshore, then following the 

shoreline west toward and around the 

northern tip of Cedar Point Amusement 

Park, then continuing from the 

westernmost point of Cedar Point 

toward the southernmost tip of the sand 

bar at the mouth of Sandusky Bay and 

out into Lake Erie at a distance of 200 

yards offshore continuing parallel to the 

Lake Erie shoreline north and west 

toward the northernmost tip of Cedar 

Point National Wildlife Refuge, then 

following a direct line toward the 

southernmost tip of Wood Tick 

Peninsula in Michigan to a point that 

intersects the Ohio-Michigan State line, 

then following the State line back to the 

point of the beginning. 

North Zone: That portion of the State, 

excluding the Lake Erie Marsh Zone, 

north of a line extending east from the 

Indiana State line along U.S. Highway 

(U.S.) 33 to State Route (SR) 127, then 

south along SR 127 to SR 703, then 

south along SR 703 and including all 

lands within the Mercer Wildlife Area 

to SR 219, then east along SR 219 to SR 

364, then north along SR 364 and 

including all lands within the St. Mary’s 

Fish Hatchery to SR 703, then east along 

SR 703 to SR 66, then north along SR 

66 to U.S. 33, then east along U.S. 33 to 

SR 385, then east along SR 385 to SR 

117, then south along SR 117 to SR 273, 

then east along SR 273 to SR 31, then 

south along SR 31 to SR 739, then east 

along SR 739 to SR 4, then north along 

SR 4 to SR 95, then east along SR 95 to 

SR 13, then southeast along SR 13 to SR 

3, then northeast along SR 3 to SR 60, 

then north along SR 60 to U.S. 30, then 

east along U.S. 30 to SR 3, then south 

along SR 3 to SR 226, then south along 

SR 226 to SR 514, then southwest along 

SR 514 to SR 754, then south along SR 

754 to SR 39/60, then east along SR 39/ 

60 to SR 241, then north along SR 241 

to U.S. 30, then east along U.S. 30 to SR 

39, then east along SR 39 to the 

Pennsylvania State line. 

South Zone: The remainder of Ohio 

not included in the Lake Erie Marsh 

Zone or the North Zone. 

Tennessee 

Reelfoot Zone: All or portions of Lake 

and Obion Counties. 

Remainder of State: That portion of 

Tennessee outside of the Reelfoot Zone. 

Wisconsin 

North Zone: That portion of the State 

north of a line extending east from the 

Minnesota State line along U.S. 

Highway 10 to U.S. Highway 41, then 

north on U.S. Highway 41 to the 

Michigan State line. 

Open Water Zone: That portion of the 

State extending 500 feet or greater from 

the Lake Michigan shoreline bounded 

by the Michigan State line and the 

Illinois State line. 

South Zone: The remainder of the 

State. 

Central Flyway 

Colorado (Central Flyway Portion) 

Special Teal Season Area: Lake and 

Chaffee Counties and that portion of the 

State east of Interstate Highway 25. 

Northeast Zone: All areas east of 

Interstate 25 and north of Interstate 70. 

Southeast Zone: All areas east of 

Interstate 25 and south of Interstate 70, 

and all of El Paso, Pueblo, Huerfano, 

and Las Animas Counties. 

Mountain/Foothills Zone: All areas 

west of Interstate 25 and east of the 

Continental Divide, except El Paso, 

Pueblo, Huerfano, and Las Animas 

Counties. 

Kansas 

High Plains: That portion of the State 

west of U.S. 283. 

Low Plains Early Zone: That part of 

Kansas bounded by a line from the 

Federal Hwy U.S.-283 and State Hwy 96 

junction, then east on State Hwy 96 to 

its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-183, 

then north on Federal Hwy U.S.-183 to 

its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-24, 

then east on Federal Hwy U.S.-24 to its 

junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-281, 

then north on Federal Hwy U.S.-281 to 

its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-36, 

then east on Federal Hwy U.S.-36 to its 

junction with State Hwy K-199, then 

south on State Hwy K-199 to its junction 

with Republic County 30th Road, then 

south on Republic County 30th Road to 

its junction with State Hwy K-148, then 

east on State Hwy K-148 to its junction 

with Republic County 50th Road, then 

south on Republic County 50th Road to 

its junction with Cloud County 40th 

Road, then south on Cloud County 40th 

Road to its junction with State Hwy K9, then west on State Hwy K-9 to its 


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junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-24, then 

west on Federal Hwy U.S.-24 to its 

junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-181, 

then south on Federal Hwy U.S.-181 to 

its junction with State Hwy K-18, then 

west on State Hwy K-18 to its junction 

with Federal Hwy U.S.-281, then south 

on Federal Hwy U.S.-281 to its junction 

with State Hwy K-4, then east on State 

Hwy K-4 to its junction with interstate 

Hwy I-135, then south on interstate Hwy 

I-135 to its junction with State Hwy K61, then southwest on State Hwy K-61 

to its junction with McPherson County 

14th Avenue, then south on McPherson 

County 14th Avenue to its junction with 

McPherson County Arapaho Road, then 

west on McPherson County Arapaho 

Road to its junction with State Hwy K61, then southwest on State Hwy K-61 

to its junction with State Hwy K-96, 

then northwest on State Hwy K-96 to its 

junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-56, then 

southwest on Federal Hwy U.S.-56 to its 

junction with State Hwy K-19, then east 

on State Hwy K-19 to its junction with 

Federal Hwy U.S.-281, then south on 

Federal Hwy U.S.-281 to its junction 

with Federal Hwy U.S.-54, then west on 

Federal Hwy U.S.-54 to its junction with 

Federal Hwy U.S.-183, then north on 

Federal Hwy U.S.-183 to its junction 

with Federal Hwy U.S.-56, then 

southwest on Federal Hwy U.S.-56 to its 

junction with North Main Street in 

Spearville, then south on North Main 

Street to Davis Street, then east on Davis 

Street to Ford County Road 126 (South 

Stafford Street), then south on Ford 

County Road 126 to Garnett Road, then 

east on Garnett Road to Ford County 

Road 126, then south on Ford County 

Road 126 to Ford Spearville Road, then 

west on Ford Spearville Road to its 

junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-400, 

then northwest on Federal Hwy U.S.- 

400 to its junction with Federal Hwy 

U.S.-283, and then north on Federal 

Hwy U.S.-283 to its junction with 

Federal Hwy U.S.-96. 

Low Plains Late Zone: That part of 

Kansas bounded by a line from the 

Federal Hwy U.S.-283 and State Hwy 96 

junction, then north on Federal Hwy 

U.S.-283 to the Kansas-Nebraska State 

line, then east along the KansasNebraska State line to its junction with 

the Kansas-Missouri State line, then 

southeast along the Kansas-Missouri 

State line to its junction with State Hwy 

K-68, then west on State Hwy K-68 to 

its junction with interstate Hwy I-35, 

then southwest on interstate Hwy I-35 to 

its junction with Butler County NE 

150th Street, then west on Butler 

County NE 150th Street to its junction 

with Federal Hwy U.S.-77, then south 

on Federal Hwy U.S.-77 to its junction 

with the Kansas-Oklahoma State line, 

then west along the Kansas-Oklahoma 

State line to its junction with Federal 

Hwy U.S.-283, then north on Federal 

Hwy U.S.-283 to its junction with 

Federal Hwy U.S.-400, then east on 

Federal Hwy U.S.-400 to its junction 

with Ford Spearville Road, then east on 

Ford Spearville Road to Ford County 

Road 126 (South Stafford Street), then 

north on Ford County Road 126 to 

Garnett Road, then west on Garnett 

Road to Ford County Road 126, then 

north on Ford County Road 126 to Davis 

Street, then west on Davis Street to 

North Main Street, then north on North 

Main Street to its junction with Federal 

Hwy U.S.-56, then east on Federal Hwy 

U.S.-56 to its junction with Federal Hwy 

U.S.-183, then south on Federal Hwy 

U.S.-183 to its junction with Federal 

Hwy U.S.-54, then east on Federal Hwy 

U.S.-54 to its junction with Federal Hwy 

U.S.-281, then north on Federal Hwy 

U.S.-281 to its junction with State Hwy 

K-19, then west on State Hwy K-19 to 

its junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-56, 

then east on Federal Hwy U.S.-56 to its 

junction with State Hwy K-96, then 

southeast on State Hwy K-96 to its 

junction with State Hwy K-61, then 

northeast on State Hwy K-61 to its 

junction with McPherson County 

Arapaho Road, then east on McPherson 

County Arapaho Road to its junction 

with McPherson County 14th Avenue, 

then north on McPherson County 14th 

Avenue to its junction with State Hwy 

K-61, then east on State Hwy K-61 to its 

junction with interstate Hwy I-135, then 

north on interstate Hwy I-135 to its 

junction with State Hwy K-4, then west 

on State Hwy K-4 to its junction with 

Federal Hwy U.S.-281, then north on 

Federal Hwy U.S.-281 to its junction 

with State Hwy K-18, then east on State 

Hwy K-18 to its junction with Federal 

Hwy U.S.-181, then north on Federal 

Hwy U.S.-181 to its junction with 

Federal Hwy U.S.-24, then east on 

Federal Hwy U.S.-24 to its junction with 

State Hwy K-9, then east on State Hwy 

K-9 to its junction with Cloud County 

40th Road, then north on Cloud County 

40th Road to its junction with Republic 

County 50th Road, then north on 

Republic County 50th Road to its 

junction with State Hwy K-148, then 

west on State Hwy K-148 to its junction 

with Republic County 30th Road, then 

north on Republic County 30th Road to 

its junction with State Hwy K-199, then 

north on State Hwy K-199 to its junction 

with Federal Hwy U.S.-36, then west on 

Federal Hwy U.S.-36 to its junction with 

Federal Hwy U.S.-281, then south on 

Federal Hwy U.S.-281 to its junction 

with Federal Hwy U.S.-24, then west on 

Federal Hwy U.S.-24 to its junction with 

Federal Hwy U.S.-183, then south on 

Federal Hwy U.S.-183 to its junction 

with Federal Hwy U.S.-96, and then 

west on Federal Hwy U.S.-96 to its 

junction with Federal Hwy U.S.-283. 

Low Plains Southeast Zone: That part 

of Kansas bounded by a line from the 

Missouri-Kansas State line west on K-68 

to its junction with I-35, then southwest 

on I-35 to its junction with Butler 

County, NE 150th Street, then west on 

NE 150th Street to its junction with 

Federal Hwy U.S.-77, then south on 

Federal Hwy U.S.-77 to the OklahomaKansas State line, then east along the 

Kansas-Oklahoma State line to its 

junction with the Kansas-Missouri State 

line, then north along the 

KansasMissouri State line to its junction 

with State Hwy K-68. 

Montana (Central Flyway Portion) 

Zone 1: The Counties of Blaine, 

Carter, Daniels, Dawson, Fallon, Fergus, 

Garfield, Golden Valley, Judith Basin, 

McCone, Musselshell, Petroleum, 

Phillips, Powder River, Richland, 

Roosevelt, Sheridan, Stillwater, Sweet 

Grass, Valley, Wheatland, and Wibaux. 

Zone 2: The Counties of Big Horn, 

Carbon, Custer, Prairie, Rosebud, 

Treasure, and Yellowstone. 

Nebraska 

High Plains: That portion of Nebraska 

lying west of a line beginning at the 

South Dakota-Nebraska border on U.S. 

Hwy 183; south on U.S. Hwy 183 to U.S. 

Hwy 20; west on U.S. Hwy 20 to NE 

Hwy 7; south on NE Hwy 7 to NE Hwy 

91; southwest on NE Hwy 91 to NE Hwy 

2; southeast on NE Hwy 2 to NE Hwy 

92; west on NE Hwy 92 to NE Hwy 40; 

south on NE Hwy 40 to NE Hwy 47; 

south on NE Hwy 47 to NE Hwy 23; east 

on NE Hwy 23 to U.S. Hwy 283; and 

south on U.S. Hwy 283 to the KansasNebraska border. 

Zone 1: Area bounded by designated 

Federal and State highways and 

political boundaries beginning at the 

South Dakota-Nebraska border at U.S. 

Hwy 183; south along Hwy 183 to NE 

Hwy 12; east to NE Hwy 137; south to 

U.S. Hwy 20; east to U.S. Hwy 281; 

north to the Niobrara River; east along 

the Niobrara River to the Boyd County 

Line; north along the Boyd County line 

to NE Hwy 12; east to NE 26E Spur; 

north along the NE 26E Spur to the 

Ponca State Park boat ramp; north and 

west along the Missouri River to the 

Nebraska-South Dakota border; west 

along the Nebraska-South Dakota border 

to U.S. Hwy 183. Both banks of the 

Niobrara River in Keya Paha and Boyd 

counties east of U.S. Hwy 183 shall be 

included in Zone 1. 


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10644 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 33 / Monday, February 22, 2021 / Proposed Rule 

Zone 2: Those areas of the state that 

are not contained in Zones 1, 3, or 4. 

Zone 3: Area bounded by designated 

Federal and State highways, County 

Roads, and political boundaries 

beginning at the Wyoming-Nebraska 

border at its northernmost intersection 

with the Interstate Canal; southeast 

along the Interstate Canal to the 

northern border of Scotts Bluff County; 

east along northern borders of Scotts 

Bluff and Morrill Counties to Morrill 

County Road 125; south to Morrill 

County Rd 94; east to County Rd 135; 

south to County Rd 88; east to County 

Rd 147; south to County Rd 88; 

southeast to County Rd 86; east to 

County Rd 151; south to County Rd 80; 

east to County Rd 161; south to County 

Rd 76; east to County Rd 165; south to 

County Rd 167; south to U.S. Hwy 26; 

east to County Rd 171; north to County 

Rd 68; east to County Rd 183; south to 

County Rd 64; east to County Rd 189; 

north to County Rd 70; east to County 

Rd 201; south to County Rd 60A; east 

to County Rd 203; south to County Rd 

52; east to Keith County Line; north 

along the Keith County line to the 

northern border of Keith County; east 

along the northern boundaries of Keith 

and Lincoln Counties to NE Hwy 97; 

south to U.S. Hwy 83; south to E Hall 

School Rd; east to North Airport Road; 

south to U.S. Hwy 30; east to NE Hwy 

47; south to NE Hwy 23; east on NE 

Hwy 23 to U.S. Hwy 283; south on U.S. 

Hwy 283 to the Kansas-Nebraska border; 

west along Kansas-Nebraska border to 

the Nebraska-Colorado border; north 

and west to the Wyoming-Nebraska 

border; north along the WyomingNebraska border to its northernmostintersection with the Interstate Canal. 

Zone 4: Area encompassed by 

designated Federal and State highways 

and County Roads beginning at the 

intersection of U.S. Hwy 283 at the 

Kansas-Nebraska border; north to NE 

Hwy 23; west to NE Hwy 47; north to 

Dawson County Rd 769; east to County 

Rd 423; south to County Rd 766; east to 

County Rd 428; south to County Rd 763; 

east to NE Hwy 21; south to County Rd 

761; east on County Rd 761 to County 

Road 437; south to the Dawson County 

Canal; southeast along Dawson County 

Canal; east to County Rd 444; south to 

U.S. Hwy 30; east to U.S. Hwy 183; 

north to Buffalo County Rd 100; east to 

46th Ave.; north to NE Hwy 40; east to 

NE Hwy 10; north to County Rd 220 and 

Hall County Husker Highway; east to 

Hall County S 70th Rd; north to NE Hwy 

2; east to U.S. Hwy 281; north to 

Chapman Rd; east to 7th Rd; south to 

U.S. Hwy 30; north and east to NE Hwy 

14; south to County Rd 22; west to 

County Rd M; south to County Rd 21; 

west to County Rd K; south to U.S. Hwy 

34; west to NE Hwy 2; south to U.S. 

Hwy I-80; west to Gunbarrel Rd (Hall/ 

Hamilton county line); south to Giltner 

Rd; west to U.S. Hwy 281; south to W 

82nd St; west to Holstein Ave.; south to 

U.S. Hwy 34; west to NE Hwy 10; north 

to Kearney County Rd R and Phelps 

County Rd 742; west to Gosper County 

Rd 433; south to N Railway Street; west 

to Commercial Ave.; south to NE Hwy 

23; west to Gosper County Rd 427; south 

to Gosper County Rd 737; west to 

Gosper County Rd 426; south to Gosper 

County Rd 735; east to Gosper County 

Rd 427; south to Furnas County Rd 276; 

west to Furnas County Rd 425.5/425; 

south to U.S. Hwy 34; east to NE Hwy 

4; east to NE Hwy 10; south to U.S. Hwy 

136; east to NE Hwy 14; south to NE 

Hwy 8; east to U.S. Hwy 81; north to NE 

Hwy 4; east to NE Hwy 15; north to U.S. 

Hwy 6; east to NE Hwy 33; east to SW 

142 Street; south to W. Hallam Rd; east 

to SW 100 Rd; south to W. Chestnut Rd; 

west to NE Hwy 103; south to NE Hwy 

4; west to NE Hwy 15; south to U.S. 

Hwy 136; east to Jefferson County Rd 

578 Ave.; south to PWF Rd; east to NE 

Hwy 103; south to NE Hwy 8; east to 

U.S. Hwy 75; north to U.S. Hwy 136; 

east to the intersection of U.S. Hwy 136 

and the Steamboat Trace (Trace); north 

along the Trace to the intersection with 

Federal Levee R-562; north along 

Federal Levee R-562 to the intersection 

with Nemaha County Rd 643A; south to 

the Trace; north along the Trace/ 

Burlington Northern Railroad right-ofway to NE Hwy 2; west to U.S. Hwy 75; 

north to NE Hwy 2; west to NE Hwy 50; 

north to Otoe County Rd D; east to N 

32nd Rd; north to Otoe County Rd B; 

west to NE Hwy 50; north to U.S. Hwy 

34; west to NE Hwy 63; north to NE 

Hwy 66; north and west to U.S. Hwy 77; 

north to NE Hwy 109; west along NE 

Hwy 109 and Saunders County Rd X to 

Saunders County 19; south to NE Hwy 

92; west to NE Hwy Spur 12F; south to 

Butler County Rd 30; east to County Rd 

X; south to County Rd 27; west to 

County Rd W; south to County Rd 26; 

east to County Rd X; south to County Rd 

21 (Seward County Line); west to NE 

Hwy 15; north to County Rd 34; west to 

County Rd H; south to NE Hwy 92; west 

to U.S. Hwy 81; south to NE Hwy 66; 

west to Dark Island Trail, north to 

Merrick County Rd M; east to Merrick 

County Rd 18; north to NE Hwy 92; west 

to NE Hwy 14; north to NE Hwy 52; 

west and north to NE Hwy 91; west to 

U.S. Hwy 281; south to NE Hwy 58; 

west to NE Hwy 11; west and south to 

NE Hwy 2; west to NE Hwy 68; north 

to NE Hwy L82A; west to NE Hwy 10; 

north to NE Hwy 92; west to U.S. Hwy 

183; north to Round Valley Rd; west to 

Sargent River Rd; west to Sargent Rd; 

west to NE Hwy S21A; west to NE Hwy 

2; north to NE Hwy 91 to North Loup 

Spur Rd; north to North Loup River Rd; 

north and east along to Pleasant Valley/ 

Worth Rd; east to Loup County Line; 

north along the Loup County Line to 

Loup-Brown County line; east along 

northern boundaries of Loup and 

Garfield Counties to NE Hwy 11; south 

to Cedar River Road; east and south to 

NE Hwy 70; east to U.S. Hwy 281; north 

to NE Hwy 70; east to NE Hwy 14; south 

to NE Hwy 39; southeast to NE Hwy 22; 

east to U.S. Hwy 81; southeast to U.S. 

Hwy 30; east to the Iowa-Nebraska 

border; south to the Missouri-Nebraska 

border; south to Kansas-Nebraska 

border; west along Kansas-Nebraska 

border to U.S. Hwy 283. 

New Mexico (Central Flyway Portion) 

North Zone: That portion of the State 

north of I-40 and U.S. 54. 

South Zone: The remainder of New 

Mexico. 

North Dakota 

High Plains: That portion of the State 

south and west of a line beginning at the 

junction of U.S. Hwy 83 and the South 

Dakota State line, then north along U.S. 

Hwy 83 and I-94 to ND Hwy 41, then 

north on ND Hwy 41 to ND Hwy 53, 

then west on ND Hwy 53 to U.S. Hwy 

83, then north on U.S. Hwy 83 to U.S. 

Hwy 2, then west on U.S. Hwy 2 to the 

Williams County line, then north and 

west along the Williams and Divide 

County lines to the Canadian border. 

Low Plains: The remainder of North 

Dakota. 

Oklahoma 

High Plains: The Counties of Beaver, 

Cimarron, and Texas. 

Low Plains Zone 1: That portion of the 

State east of the High Plains Zone and 

north of a line extending east from the 

Texas State line along OK 33 to OK 47, 

east along OK 47 to U.S. 183, south 

along U.S. 183 to I-40, east along I-40 to 

U.S. 177, north along U.S. 177 to OK 33, 

east along OK 33 to OK 18, north along 

OK 18 to OK 51, west along OK 51 to 

I-35, north along I-35 to U.S. 412, west 

along U.S. 412 to OK 132, then north 

along OK 132 to the Kansas State line. 

Low Plains Zone 2: The remainder of 

Oklahoma. 

South Dakota 

High Plains: That portion of the State 

west of a line beginning at the North 

Dakota State line and extending south 

along U.S. 83 to U.S. 14, east on U.S. 14 

to Blunt, south on the Blunt-Canning 

Road to SD 34, east and south on SD 34 


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to SD 50 at Lee’s Corner, south on SD 

50 to I-90, east on I-90 to SD 50, south 

on SD 50 to SD 44, west on SD 44 across 

the Platte-Winner bridge to SD 47, south 

on SD 47 to U.S. 18, east on U.S. 18 to 

SD 47, south on SD 47 to the Nebraska 

State line. 

Low Plains North Zone: That portion 

of northeastern South Dakota east of the 

High Plains Unit and north of a line 

extending east along U.S. 212 to the 

Minnesota State line. 

Low Plains South Zone: That portion 

of Gregory County east of SD 47 and 

south of SD 44; Charles Mix County 

south of SD 44 to the Douglas County 

line; south on SD 50 to Geddes; east on 

the Geddes Highway to U.S. 281; south 

on U.S. 281 and U.S. 18 to SD 50; south 

and east on SD 50 to the Bon Homme 

County line; the Counties of Bon 

Homme, Yankton, and Clay south of SD 

50; and Union County south and west 

of SD 50 and I-29. 

Low Plains Middle Zone: The 

remainder of South Dakota. 

Texas 

High Plains: That portion of the State 

west of a line extending south from the 

Oklahoma State line along U.S. 183 to 

Vernon, south along U.S. 283 to Albany, 

south along TX 6 to TX 351 to Abilene, 

south along U.S. 277 to Del Rio, then 

south along the Del Rio International 

Toll Bridge access road to the Mexico 

border. 

Low Plains North Zone: That portion 

of northeastern Texas east of the High 

Plains Zone and north of a line 

beginning at the International Toll 

Bridge south of Del Rio, then extending 

east on U.S. 90 to San Antonio, then 

continuing east on I-10 to the Louisiana 

State line at Orange, Texas. 

Low Plains South Zone: The 

remainder of Texas. 

Wyoming (Central Flyway portion) 

Zone C1: Big Horn, Converse, Goshen, 

Hot Springs, Natrona, Park, Platte, and 

Washakie Counties; and Fremont 

County excluding the portions west or 

south of the Continental Divide. 

Zone C2: Campbell, Crook, Johnson, 

Niobrara, Sheridan, and Weston 

Counties. 

Zone C3: Albany and Laramie 

Counties; and that portion of Carbon 

County east of the Continental Divide. 

Pacific Flyway 

Arizona 

North Zone: Game Management Units 

1-5, those portions of Game 

Management Units 6 and 8 within 

Coconino County, and Game 

Management Units 7, 9, and 12A. 

South Zone: Those portions of Game 

Management Units 6 and 8 in Yavapai 

County, and Game Management Units 

10 and 12B-45. 

California 

Northeastern Zone: That portion of 

California lying east and north of a line 

beginning at the intersection of 

Interstate 5 with the California-Oregon 

line; south along Interstate 5 to its 

junction with Walters Lane south of the 

town of Yreka; west along Walters Lane 

to its junction with Easy Street; south 

along Easy Street to the junction with 

Old Highway 99; south along Old 

Highway 99 to the point of intersection 

with Interstate 5 north of the town of 

Weed; south along Interstate 5 to its 

junction with Highway 89; east and 

south along Highway 89 to Main Street 

Greenville; north and east to its junction 

with North Valley Road; south to its 

junction of Diamond Mountain Road; 

north and east to its junction with North 

Arm Road; south and west to the 

junction of North Valley Road; south to 

the junction with Arlington Road (A22); 

west to the junction of Highway 89; 

south and west to the junction of 

Highway 70; east on Highway 70 to 

Highway 395; south and east on 

Highway 395 to the point of intersection 

with the California-Nevada State line; 

north along the California-Nevada State 

line to the junction of the CaliforniaNevada Oregon State lines; west along 

the California-Oregon State line to the 

point of origin. 

Colorado River Zone: Those portions 

of San Bernardino, Riverside, and 

Imperial Counties east of a line from the 

intersection of Highway 95 with the 

California-Nevada State line; south on 

Highway 95 through the junction with 

Highway 40; south on Highway 95 to 

Vidal Junction; south through the town 

of Rice to the San Bernardino-Riverside 

County line on a road known as 

‘‘Aqueduct Road’’ also known as 

Highway 62 in San Bernardino County; 

southwest on Highway 62 to Desert 

Center Rice Road; south on Desert 

Center Rice Road/Highway 177 to the 

town of Desert Center; east 31 miles on 

Interstate 10 to its intersection with 

Wiley Well Road; south on Wiley Well 

Road to Wiley Well; southeast on 

Milpitas Wash Road to the Blythe, 

Brawley, Davis Lake intersections; south 

on Blythe Ogilby Road also known as 

County Highway 34 to its intersection 

with Ogilby Road; south on Ogilby Road 

to its intersection with Interstate 8; east 

7 miles on Interstate 8 to its intersection 

with the Andrade-Algodones Road/ 

Highway 186; south on Highway 186 to 

its intersection with the U.S.-Mexico 

border at Los Algodones, Mexico. 

Southern Zone: That portion of 

southern California (but excluding the 

Colorado River zone) south and east of 

a line beginning at the mouth of the 

Santa Maria River at the Pacific Ocean; 

east along the Santa Maria River to 

where it crosses Highway 101-166 near 

the City of Santa Maria; north on 

Highway 101-166; east on Highway 166 

to the junction with Highway 99; south 

on Highway 99 to the junction of 

Interstate 5; south on Interstate 5 to the 

crest of the Tehachapi Mountains at 

Tejon Pass; east and north along the 

crest of the Tehachapi Mountains to 

where it intersects Highway 178 at 

Walker Pass; east on Highway 178 to the 

junction of Highway 395 at the town of 

Inyokern; south on Highway 395 to the 

junction of Highway 58; east on 

Highway 58 to the junction of Interstate 

15; east on Interstate 15 to the junction 

with Highway 127; north on Highway 

127 to the point of intersection with the 

California-Nevada State line. 

Southern San Joaquin Valley Zone: 

All of Kings and Tulare Counties and 

that portion of Kern County north of the 

Southern Zone. 

Balance of State Zone: The remainder 

of California not included in the 

Northeastern, Colorado River, Southern, 

and the Southern San Joaquin Valley 

Zones. 

Colorado (Pacific Flyway Portion) 

Eastern Zone: Routt, Grand, Summit, 

Eagle, and Pitkin Counties, those 

portions of Saguache, San Juan, 

Hinsdale, and Mineral Counties west of 

the Continental Divide, those portions 

of Gunnison County except the North 

Fork of the Gunnison River Valley 

(Game Management Units 521, 53, and 

63), and that portion of Moffat County 

east of the northern intersection of 

Moffat County Road 29 with the MoffatRoutt County line, south along Moffat 

County Road 29 to the intersection of 

Moffat County Road 29 with the MoffatRoutt County line (Elkhead Reservoir 

State Park). 

Western Zone: All areas west of the 

Continental Divide not included in the 

Eastern Zone. 

Idaho 

Zone 1: All lands and waters within 

the Fort Hall Indian Reservation, 

including private in-holdings; Bannock 

County; Bingham County except that 

portion within the Blackfoot Reservoir 

drainage; Caribou County within the 

Fort Hall Indian Reservation; and Power 

County east of State Highway 37 and 

State Highway 39. 

Zone 2: Bear Lake, Bonneville, Butte, 

Clark, Fremont, Jefferson, Madison, and 

Teton Counties; Bingham County within 


tkelley on DSKBCP9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS2
10646 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 33 / Monday, February 22, 2021 / Proposed Rule 

the Blackfoot Reservoir drainage; and 

Caribou County except within the Fort 

Hall Indian Reservation. 

Zone 3: Ada, Adams, Benewah, 

Blaine, Boise, Bonner, Boundary, 

Camas, Canyon, Cassia, Clearwater, 

Custer, Elmore, Franklin, Gem, Gooding, 

Idaho, Jerome, Kootenai, Latah, Lemhi, 

Lewis, Lincoln, Minidoka, Nez Perce, 

Oneida, Owyhee, Payette, Shoshone, 

Twin Falls, and Washington Counties; 

and Power County west of State 

Highway 37 and State Highway 39. 

Zone 4: Valley County. 

Nevada 

Northeast Zone: Elko, Eureka, Lander, 

and White Pine Counties. 

Northwest Zone: Carson City, 

Churchill, Douglas, Humboldt, Lyon, 

Mineral, Pershing, Storey, and Washoe 

Counties. 

South Zone: Clark, Esmeralda, 

Lincoln, and Nye Counties. 

Moapa Valley Special Management 

Area: That portion of Clark County 

including the Moapa Valley to the 

confluence of the Muddy and Virgin 

Rivers. 

Oregon 

Zone 1: Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, 

Columbia, Coos, Curry, Douglas, 

Gilliam, Hood River, Jackson, Josephine, 

Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Morrow, 

Multnomah, Polk, Sherman, Tillamook, 

Umatilla, Wasco, Washington, and 

Yamhill, Counties. 

Zone 2: The remainder of Oregon not 

included in Zone 1. 

Utah 

Zone 1: Box Elder, Cache, Daggett, 

Davis, Duchesne, Morgan, Rich, Salt 

Lake, Summit, Uintah, Utah, Wasatch, 

and Weber Counties, and that part of 

Toole County north of I-80. 

Zone 2: The remainder of Utah not 

included in Zone 1. 

Washington 

East Zone: All areas east of the Pacific 

Crest Trail and east of the Big White 

Salmon River in Klickitat County. 

West Zone: The remainder of 

Washington not included in the East 

Zone. 

Wyoming (Pacific Flyway Portion) 

Snake River Zone: Beginning at the 

south boundary of Yellowstone National 

Park and the Continental Divide; south 

along the Continental Divide to Union 

Pass and the Union Pass Road (U.S.F.S. 

Road 600); west and south along the 

Union Pass Road to U.S.F.S. Road 605; 

south along U.S.F.S. Road 605 to the 

Bridger-Teton National Forest boundary; 

along the national forest boundary to the 

Idaho State line; north along the Idaho 

State line to the south boundary of 

Yellowstone National Park; east along 

the Yellowstone National Park boundary 

to the Continental Divide. 

Balance of State Zone: The remainder 

of the Pacific Flyway portion of 

Wyoming not included in the Snake 

River Zone. 

Geese 

Atlantic Flyway 

Connecticut 

Early Canada and Cackling Goose 

Seasons 

South Zone: Same as for ducks. 

North Zone: Same as for ducks. 

Regular Seasons 

AP Unit: Litchfield County and the 

portion of Hartford County west of a 

line beginning at the Massachusetts 

border in Suffield and extending south 

along Route 159 to its intersection with 

I-91 in Hartford, and then extending 

south along I-91 to its intersection with 

the Hartford-Middlesex County line. 

NAP H-Unit: That part of the State 

east of a line beginning at the 

Massachusetts border in Suffield and 

extending south along Route 159 to its 

intersection with I-91 in Hartford and 

then extending south along I-91 to State 

Street in New Haven; then south on 

State Street to Route 34, west on Route 

34 to Route 8, south along Route 8 to 

Route 110, south along Route 110 to 

Route 15, north along Route 15 to the 

Milford Parkway, south along the 

Milford Parkway to I-95, north along I95 to the intersection with the east shore 

of the Quinnipiac River, south to the 

mouth of the Quinnipiac River and then 

south along the eastern shore of New 

Haven Harbor to the Long Island Sound. 

Atlantic Flyway Resident Population 

(AFRP) Unit: Remainder of the State not 

included in AP and NAP Units. 

South Zone: Same as for ducks. 

Maine 

North NAP-H Zone: Same as North 

Zone for ducks. 

Coastal NAP-L Zone: Same as Coastal 

Zone for ducks. 

South NAP-H Zone: Same as South 

Zone for ducks. 

Maryland 

Early Canada and Cackling Goose 

Seasons 

Eastern Unit: Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, 

Dorchester, Harford, Kent, Queen 

Anne’s, St. Mary’s, Somerset, Talbot, 

Wicomico, and Worcester Counties; and 

that part of Anne Arundel County east 

of Interstate 895, Interstate 97, and 

Route 3; that part of Prince George’s 

County east of Route 3 and Route 301; 

and that part of Charles County east of 

Route 301 to the Virginia State line. 

Western Unit: Allegany, Baltimore, 

Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Howard, 

Montgomery, and Washington Counties 

and that part of Anne Arundel County 

west of Interstate 895, Interstate 97, and 

Route 3; that part of Prince George’s 

County west of Route 3 and Route 301; 

and that part of Charles County west of 

Route 301 to the Virginia State line. 

Regular Seasons 

Resident Population (RP) Zone: 

Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, 

Montgomery, and Washington Counties; 

that portion of Prince George’s County 

west of Route 3 and Route 301; that 

portion of Charles County west of Route 

301 to the Virginia State line; and that 

portion of Carroll County west of Route 

31 to the intersection of Route 97, and 

west of Route 97 to the Pennsylvania 

State line. 

AP Zone: Remainder of the State. 

Massachusetts 

NAP Zone: Central and Coastal Zones 

(see duck zones). 

AP Zone: The Western Zone (see duck 

zones). 

Special Late Season Area: The Central 

Zone and that portion of the Coastal 

Zone (see duck zones) that lies north of 

the Cape Cod Canal, north to the New 

Hampshire State line. 

New Hampshire 

Same zones as for ducks. 

New Jersey 

AP Zone: North and South Zones (see 

duck zones). 

NAP Zone: The Coastal Zone (see 

duck zones). 

Special Late Season Area: In northern 

New Jersey, that portion of the State 

within a continuous line that runs east 

along the New York State boundary line 

to the Hudson River; then south along 

the New York State boundary to its 

intersection with Route 440 at Perth 

Amboy; then west on Route 440 to its 

intersection with Route 287; then west 

along Route 287 to its intersection with 

Route 206 in Bedminster (Exit 18); then 

north along Route 206 to its intersection 

with Route 94; then west along Route 94 

to the toll bridge in Columbia; then 

north along the Pennsylvania State 

boundary in the Delaware River to the 

beginning point. In southern New 

Jersey, that portion of the State within 

a continuous line that runs west from 

the Atlantic Ocean at Ship Bottom along 

Route 72 to Route 70; then west along 

Route 70 to Route 206; then south along 


tkelley on DSKBCP9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS2
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 33 / Monday, February 22, 2021 / Proposed Rule 10647 

Route 206 to Route 536; then west along 

Route 536 to Route 322; then west along 

Route 322 to Route 55; then south along 

Route 55 to Route 553 (Buck Road); then 

south along Route 553 to Route 40; then 

east along Route 40 to route 55; then 

south along Route 55 to Route 552 

(Sherman Avenue); then west along 

Route 552 to Carmel Road; then south 

along Carmel Road to Route 49; then 

east along Route 49 to Route 555; then 

south along Route 555 to Route 553; 

then east along Route 553 to Route 649; 

then north along Route 649 to Route 

670; then east along Route 670 to Route 

47; then north along Route 47 to Route 

548; then east along Route 548 to Route 

49; then east along Route 49 to Route 50; 

then south along Route 50 to Route 9; 

then south along Route 9 to Route 625 

(Sea Isle City Boulevard); then east 

along Route 625 to the Atlantic Ocean; 

then north to the beginning point. 

New York 

Lake Champlain Goose Area: The 

same as the Lake Champlain Waterfowl 

Hunting Zone, which is that area of New 

York State lying east and north of a 

continuous line extending along Route 

11 from the New York-Canada 

international boundary south to Route 

9B, south along Route 9B to Route 9, 

south along Route 9 to Route 22 south 

of Keeseville, south along Route 22 to 

the west shore of South Bay along and 

around the shoreline of South Bay to 

Route 22 on the east shore of South Bay, 

southeast along Route 22 to Route 4, 

northeast along Route 4 to the New 

York-Vermont boundary. 

Northeast Goose Area: The same as 

the Northeastern Waterfowl Hunting 

Zone, which is that area of New York 

State lying north of a continuous line 

extending from Lake Ontario east along 

the north shore of the Salmon River to 

Interstate 81, south along Interstate 81 to 

Route 31, east along Route 31 to Route 

13, north along Route 13 to Route 49, 

east along Route 49 to Route 365, east 

along Route 365 to Route 28, east along 

Route 28 to Route 29, east along Route 

29 to Route 22 at Greenwich Junction, 

north along Route 22 to Washington 

County Route 153, east along CR 153 to 

the New York-Vermont boundary, 

exclusive of the Lake Champlain Zone. 

East Central Goose Area: That area of 

New York State lying inside of a 

continuous line extending from 

Interstate Route 81 in Cicero, east along 

Route 31 to Route 13, north along Route 

13 to Route 49, east along Route 49 to 

Route 365, east along Route 365 to 

Route 28, east along Route 28 to Route 

29, east along Route 29 to Route 147 at 

Kimball Corners, south along Route 147 

to Schenectady County Route 40 (West 

Glenville Road), west along Route 40 to 

Touareuna Road, south along Touareuna 

Road to Schenectady County Route 59, 

south along Route 59 to State Route 5, 

east along Route 5 to the Lock 9 bridge, 

southwest along the Lock 9 bridge to 

Route 5S, southeast along Route 5S to 

Schenectady County Route 58, 

southwest along Route 58 to the NYS 

Thruway, south along the Thruway to 

Route 7, southwest along Route 7 to 

Schenectady County Route 103, south 

along Route 103 to Route 406, east along 

Route 406 to Schenectady County Route 

99 (Windy Hill Road), south along Route 

99 to Dunnsville Road, south along 

Dunnsville Road to Route 397, 

southwest along Route 397 to Route 146 

at Altamont, west along Route 146 to 

Albany County Route 252, northwest 

along Route 252 to Schenectady County 

Route 131, north along Route 131 to 

Route 7, west along Route 7 to Route 10 

at Richmondville, south on Route 10 to 

Route 23 at Stamford, west along Route 

23 to Route 7 in Oneonta, southwest 

along Route 7 to Route 79 to Interstate 

Route 88 near Harpursville, west along 

Route 88 to Interstate Route 81, north 

along Route 81 to the point of 

beginning. 

West Central Goose Area: That area of 

New York State lying within a 

continuous line beginning at the point 

where the northerly extension of Route 

269 (County Line Road on the NiagaraOrleans County boundary) meets the 

international boundary with Canada, 

south to the shore of Lake Ontario at the 

eastern boundary of Golden Hill State 

Park, south along the extension of Route 

269 and Route 269 to Route 104 at 

Jeddo, west along Route 104 to Niagara 

County Route 271, south along Route 

271 to Route 31E at Middleport, south 

along Route 31E to Route 31, west along 

Route 31 to Griswold Street, south along 

Griswold Street to Ditch Road, south 

along Ditch Road to Foot Road, south 

along Foot Road to the north bank of 

Tonawanda Creek, west along the north 

bank of Tonawanda Creek to Route 93, 

south along Route 93 to Route 5, east 

along Route 5 to Crittenden-Murrays 

Corners Road, south on CrittendenMurrays Corners Road to the NYS 

Thruway, east along the Thruway 90 to 

Route 98 (at Thruway Exit 48) in 

Batavia, south along Route 98 to Route 

20, east along Route 20 to Route 19 in 

Pavilion Center, south along Route 19 to 

Route 63, southeast along Route 63 to 

Route 246, south along Route 246 to 

Route 39 in Perry, northeast along Route 

39 to Route 20A, northeast along Route 

20A to Route 20, east along Route 20 to 

Route 364 (near Canandaigua), south 

and east along Route 364 to Yates 

County Route 18 (Italy Valley Road), 

southwest along Route 18 to Yates 

County Route 34, east along Route 34 to 

Yates County Route 32, south along 

Route 32 to Steuben County Route 122, 

south along Route 122 to Route 53, 

south along Route 53 to Steuben County 

Route 74, east along Route 74 to Route 

54A (near Pulteney), south along Route 

54A to Steuben County Route 87, east 

along Route 87 to Steuben County Route 

96, east along Route 96 to Steuben 

County Route 114, east along Route 114 

to Schuyler County Route 23, east and 

southeast along Route 23 to Schuyler 

County Route 28, southeast along Route 

28 to Route 409 at Watkins Glen, south 

along Route 409 to Route 14, south 

along Route 14 to Route 224 at Montour 

Falls, east along Route 224 to Route 228 

in Odessa, north along Route 228 to 

Route 79 in Mecklenburg, east along 

Route 79 to Route 366 in Ithaca, 

northeast along Route 366 to Route 13, 

northeast along Route 13 to Interstate 

Route 81 in Cortland, north along Route 

81 to the north shore of the Salmon 

River to shore of Lake Ontario, 

extending generally northwest in a 

straight line to the nearest point of the 

international boundary with Canada, 

south and west along the international 

boundary to the point of beginning. 

Hudson Valley Goose Area: That area 

of New York State lying within a 

continuous line extending from Route 4 

at the New York-Vermont boundary, 

west and south along Route 4 to Route 

149 at Fort Ann, west on Route 149 to 

Route 9, south along Route 9 to 

Interstate Route 87 (at Exit 20 in Glens 

Falls), south along Route 87 to Route 29, 

west along Route 29 to Route 147 at 

Kimball Corners, south along Route 147 

to Schenectady County Route 40 (West 

Glenville Road), west along Route 40 to 

Touareuna Road, south along Touareuna 

Road to Schenectady County Route 59, 

south along Route 59 to State Route 5, 

east along Route 5 to the Lock 9 bridge, 

southwest along the Lock 9 bridge to 

Route 5S, southeast along Route 5S to 

Schenectady County Route 58, 

southwest along Route 58 to the NYS 

Thruway, south along the Thruway to 

Route 7, southwest along Route 7 to 

Schenectady County Route 103, south 

along Route 103 to Route 406, east along 

Route 406 to Schenectady County Route 

99 (Windy Hill Road), south along Route 

99 to Dunnsville Road, south along 

Dunnsville Road to Route 397, 

southwest along Route 397 to Route 146 

at Altamont, southeast along Route 146 

to Main Street in Altamont, west along 

Main Street to Route 156, southeast 

along Route 156 to Albany County 

Route 307, southeast along Route 307 to 


tkelley on DSKBCP9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS2
10648 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 33 / Monday, February 22, 2021 / Proposed Rule 

Route 85A, southwest along Route 85A 

to Route 85, south along Route 85 to 

Route 443, southeast along Route 443 to 

Albany County Route 301 at Clarksville, 

southeast along Route 301 to Route 32, 

south along Route 32 to Route 23 at 

Cairo, west along Route 23 to Joseph 

Chadderdon Road, southeast along 

Joseph Chadderdon Road to Hearts 

Content Road (Greene County Route 31), 

southeast along Route 31 to Route 32, 

south along Route 32 to Greene County 

Route 23A, east along Route 23A to 

Interstate Route 87 (the NYS Thruway), 

south along Route 87 to Route 28 (Exit 

19) near Kingston, northwest on Route 

28 to Route 209, southwest on Route 

209 to the New York-Pennsylvania 

boundary, southeast along the New 

York-Pennsylvania boundary to the New 

York-New Jersey boundary, southeast 

along the New York-New Jersey 

boundary to Route 210 near Greenwood 

Lake, northeast along Route 210 to 

Orange County Route 5, northeast along 

Orange County Route 5 to Route 105 in 

the Village of Monroe, east and north 

along Route 105 to Route 32, northeast 

along Route 32 to Orange County Route 

107 (Quaker Avenue), east along Route 

107 to Route 9W, north along Route 9W 

to the south bank of Moodna Creek, 

southeast along the south bank of 

Moodna Creek to the New WindsorCornwall town boundary, northeast 

along the New Windsor-Cornwall town 

boundary to the Orange-Dutchess 

County boundary (middle of the Hudson 

River), north along the county boundary 

to Interstate Route 84, east along Route 

84 to the Dutchess-Putnam County 

boundary, east along the county 

boundary to the New York-Connecticut 

boundary, north along the New YorkConnecticut boundary to the New YorkMassachusetts boundary, north along 

the New York-Massachusetts boundary 

to the New York-Vermont boundary, 

north to the point of beginning. 

Eastern Long Island Goose Area (NAP 

High Harvest Area): That area of Suffolk 

County lying east of a continuous line 

extending due south from the New 

York-Connecticut boundary to the 

northernmost end of Roanoke Avenue in 

the Town of Riverhead; then south on 

Roanoke Avenue (which becomes 

County Route 73) to State Route 25; then 

west on Route 25 to Peconic Avenue; 

then south on Peconic Avenue to 

County Route (CR) 104 (Riverleigh 

Avenue); then south on CR 104 to CR 31 

(Old Riverhead Road); then south on CR 

31 to Oak Street; then south on Oak 

Street to Potunk Lane; then west on 

Stevens Lane; then south on Jessup 

Avenue (in Westhampton Beach) to 

Dune Road (CR 89); then due south to 

international waters. 

Western Long Island Goose Area (RP 

Area): That area of Westchester County 

and its tidal waters southeast of 

Interstate Route 95 and that area of 

Nassau and Suffolk Counties lying west 

of a continuous line extending due 

south from the New York-Connecticut 

boundary to the northernmost end of 

Sound Road (just east of Wading River 

Marsh); then south on Sound Road to 

North Country Road; then west on North 

Country Road to Randall Road; then 

south on Randall Road to Route 25A, 

then west on Route 25A to the Sunken 

Meadow State Parkway; then south on 

the Sunken Meadow Parkway to the 

Sagtikos State Parkway; then south on 

the Sagtikos Parkway to the Robert 

Moses State Parkway; then south on the 

Robert Moses Parkway to its 

southernmost end; then due south to 

international waters. 

Central Long Island Goose Area (NAP 

Low Harvest Area): That area of Suffolk 

County lying between the Western and 

Eastern Long Island Goose Areas, as 

defined above. 

South Goose Area: The remainder of 

New York State, excluding New York 

City. 

North Carolina 

Northeast Zone: Includes the 

following counties or portions of 

counties: Bertie (that portion north and 

east of a line formed by NC 45 at the 

Washington County line to U.S. 17 in 

Midway, U.S. 17 in Midway to U.S. 13 

in Windsor, U.S. 13 in Windsor to the 

Hertford County line), Camden, 

Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Hyde, 

Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell, and 

Washington. 

RP Zone: Remainder of the State. 

Pennsylvania 

Resident Canada and Cackling Goose 

Zone: All of Pennsylvania except for the 

SJBP Zone and the area east of route SR 

97 from the Maryland State Line to the 

intersection of SR 194, east of SR 194 to 

the intersection of U.S. Route 30, south 

of U.S. Route 30 to SR 441, east of SR 

441 to SR 743, east of SR 743 to 

intersection of I-81, east of I-81 to 

intersection of I-80, and south of I-80 to 

the New Jersey State line. 

SJBP Zone: The area north of I-80 and 

west of I-79 including in the city of Erie 

west of Bay Front Parkway to and 

including the Lake Erie Duck zone (Lake 

Erie, Presque Isle, and the area within 

150 yards of the Lake Erie shoreline). 

AP Zone: The area east of route SR 97 

from Maryland State Line to the 

intersection of SR 194, east of SR 194 to 

intersection of U.S. Route 30, south of 

U.S. Route 30 to SR 441, east of SR 441 

to SR 743, east of SR 743 to intersection 

of I-81, east of I-81 to intersection of I80, south of I-80 to the New Jersey State 

line. 

Rhode Island 

Special Area for Canada and Cackling 

Geese: Kent and Providence Counties 

and portions of the towns of Exeter and 

North Kingston within Washington 

County (see State regulations for 

detailed descriptions). 

South Carolina 

Canada and Cackling Goose Area: 

Statewide except for the following area: 

East of U.S. 301: That portion of 

Clarendon County bounded to the North 

by S-14-25, to the East by Hwy 260, and 

to the South by the markers delineating 

the channel of the Santee River. 

West of U.S. 301: That portion of 

Clarendon County bounded on the 

North by S-14-26 extending southward 

to that portion of Orangeburg County 

bordered by Hwy 6. 

Vermont 

Same zones as for ducks. 

Virginia 

AP Zone: The area east and south of 

the following line—the Stafford County 

line from the Potomac River west to 

Interstate 95 at Fredericksburg, then 

south along Interstate 95 to Petersburg, 

then Route 460 (SE) to City of Suffolk, 

then south along Route 32 to the North 

Carolina line. 

SJBP Zone: The area to the west of the 

AP Zone boundary and east of the 

following line: The ‘‘Blue Ridge’’ 

(mountain spine) at the West VirginiaVirginia Border (Loudoun CountyClarke County line) south to Interstate 

64 (the Blue Ridge line follows county 

borders along the western edge of 

Loudoun-Fauquier-RappahannockMadison-Greene-Albemarle and into 

Nelson Counties), then east along 

Interstate Route 64 to Route 15, then 

south along Route 15 to the North 

Carolina line. 

RP Zone: The remainder of the State 

west of the SJBP Zone. 

Mississippi Flyway 

Arkansas 

Northwest Zone: Baxter, Benton, 

Boone, Carroll, Conway, Crawford, 

Faulkner, Franklin, Johnson, Logan, 

Madison, Marion, Newton, Perry, Pope, 

Pulaski, Searcy, Sebastian, Scott, Van 

Buren, Washington, and Yell Counties. 

Remainder of State: That portion of 

the State outside of the Northwest Zone. 


tkelley on DSKBCP9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS2
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 33 / Monday, February 22, 2021 / Proposed Rule 10649 

Illinois 

North Zone: That portion of the State 

north of a line extending west from the 

Indiana border along Interstate 80 to I39, south along I-39 to Illinois Route 18, 

west along Illinois Route 18 to Illinois 

Route 29, south along Illinois Route 29 

to Illinois Route 17, west along Illinois 

Route 17 to the Mississippi River, and 

due south across the Mississippi River 

to the Iowa border. 

Central Zone: That portion of the 

State south of the North Goose Zone line 

to a line extending west from the 

Indiana border along I-70 to Illinois 

Route 4, south along Illinois Route 4 to 

Illinois Route 161, west along Illinois 

Route 161 to Illinois Route 158, south 

and west along Illinois Route 158 to 

Illinois Route 159, south along Illinois 

Route 159 to Illinois Route 3, south 

along Illinois Route 3 to St. Leo’s Road, 

south along St. Leo’s Road to Modoc 

Road, west along Modoc Road to Modoc 

Ferry Road, southwest along Modoc 

Ferry Road to Levee Road, southeast 

along Levee Road to County Route 12 

(Modoc Ferry entrance Road), south 

along County Route 12 to the Modoc 

Ferry route and southwest on the Modoc 

Ferry route across the Mississippi River 

to the Missouri border. 

South Zone: Same zone as for ducks. 

South Central Zone: Same zone as for 

ducks. 

Indiana 

Same zones as for ducks. 

Iowa 

Same zones as for ducks. 

Louisiana 

North Zone: That portion of the State 

north of the line from the Texas border 

at State Hwy 190/12 east to State Hwy 

49, then south on State Hwy 49 to 

Interstate 10, then east on Interstate 10 

to Interstate 12, then east on Interstate 

12 to Interstate 10, then east on 

Interstate 10 to the Mississippi State 

line. 

South Zone: Remainder of the State. 

Michigan 

North Zone: Same as North duck 

zone. 

Middle Zone: Same as Middle duck 

zone. 

South Zone: Same as South duck 

zone. 

Allegan County Game Management 

Unit (GMU): That area encompassed by 

a line beginning at the junction of 136th 

Avenue and Interstate Highway 196 in 

Lake Town Township and extending 

easterly along 136th Avenue to 

Michigan Highway 40, southerly along 

Michigan 40 through the city of Allegan 

to 108th Avenue in Trowbridge 

Township, westerly along 108th Avenue 

to 46th Street, northerly along 46th 

Street to 109th Avenue, westerly along 

109th Avenue to I-196 in Casco 

Township, then northerly along I-196 to 

the point of beginning. 

Muskegon Wastewater GMU: That 

portion of Muskegon County within the 

boundaries of the Muskegon County 

wastewater system, east of the 

Muskegon State Game Area, in sections 

5, 6, 7, 8, 17, 18, 19, 20, 29, 30, and 32, 

T10N R14W, and sections 1, 2, 10, 11, 

12, 13, 14, 24, and 25, T10N R15W, as 

posted. 

Minnesota 

Same zones as for ducks. 

Missouri 

Same zones as for ducks. 

Ohio 

Same zones as for ducks. 

Tennessee 

Reelfoot Zone: The lands and waters 

within the boundaries of Reelfoot Lake 

WMA only. 

Remainder of State: The remainder of 

the State. 

Wisconsin 

North and South Zones: Same zones 

as for ducks. 

Mississippi River Zone: That area 

encompassed by a line beginning at the 

intersection of the Burlington Northern 

& Santa Fe Railway and the Illinois 

State line in Grant County and 

extending northerly along the 

Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway 

to the city limit of Prescott in Pierce 

County, then west along the Prescott 

city limit to the Minnesota State line. 

Central Flyway 

Colorado (Central Flyway Portion) 

Northern Front Range Area: All areas 

in Boulder, Larimer, and Weld Counties 

from the Continental Divide east along 

the Wyoming border to U.S. 85, south 

on U.S. 85 to the Adams County line, 

and all lands in Adams, Arapahoe, 

Broomfield, Clear Creek, Denver, 

Douglas, Gilpin, and Jefferson Counties. 

North Park Area: Jackson County. 

South Park Area: Chaffee, Custer, 

Fremont, Lake, Park, and Teller 

Counties. 

San Luis Valley Area: All of Alamosa, 

Conejos, Costilla, and Rio Grande 

Counties, and those portions of 

Saguache, Mineral, Hinsdale, Archuleta, 

and San Juan Counties east of the 

Continental Divide. 

Remainder: Remainder of the Central 

Flyway portion of Colorado. 

Eastern Colorado Late Light Goose 

Area: That portion of the State east of 

Interstate Highway 25. 

Montana (Central Flyway Portion) 

Zone 1: Same as Zone 1 for ducks and 

coots. 

Zone 2: Same as Zone 2 for ducks and 

coots. 

Nebraska 

Dark Geese 

Niobrara Unit: That area contained 

within and bounded by the intersection 

of the Nebraska-South Dakota border 

and U.S Hwy 83, south to U.S. Hwy 20, 

east to NE Hwy 14, north along NE Hwy 

14 to NE Hwy 59 and County Road 872, 

west along County Road 872 to the Knox 

County Line, north along the Knox 

County Line to the Nebraska-South 

Dakota border, west along the NebraskaSouth Dakota border to U.S. Hwy 83. 

Where the Niobrara River forms the 

boundary, both banks of the river are 

included in the Niobrara Unit. 

Platte River Unit: The area bounded 

starting at the northernmost intersection 

of the Interstate Canal at the NebraskaWyoming border, south along the 

Nebraska-Wyoming border to the 

Nebraska-Colorado border, east and 

south along the Nebraska-Colorado 

border to the Nebraska-Kansas border, 

east along the Nebraska-Kansas border 

to the Nebraska-Missouri border, north 

along the Nebraska-Missouri and 

Nebraska-Iowa borders to the BurtWashington County line, west along the 

Burt-Washington County line to U.S. 

Hwy 75, south to Dodge County Road 4/ 

Washington County Road 4, west to U.S. 

Hwy 77, south to U.S. Hwy 275, 

northwest to U.S. Hwy 91, west to NE 

Hwy 45, north to NE Hwy 32, west to 

NE Hwy 14, north to NE Hwy 70, west 

to U.S. Hwy 281, south to NE Hwy 70, 

west along NE Hwy 70/91 to NE Hwy 

11, north to the Holt County Line, west 

along the northern border of Garfield, 

Loup, Blaine, and Thomas Counties to 

the Hooker County Line, south along the 

Thomas-Hooker County Lines to the 

McPherson County Line, east along the 

south border of Thomas County to the 

Custer County Line, south along the 

Custer-Logan County lines to NE Hwy 

92, west to U.S. Hwy 83, north to NE 

Hwy 92, west to NE Hwy 61, north to 

NE Hwy 2, west along NE Hwy 2 to the 

corner formed by Garden, Grant and 

Sheridan Counties, west along the north 

borders of Garden, Morrill, and Scotts 

Bluff Counties to the intersection with 

the Interstate Canal, north and west 

along the Interstate Canal to the 

intersection with the NebraskaWyoming border. 


tkelley on DSKBCP9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS2
10650 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 33 / Monday, February 22, 2021 / Proposed Rule 

North-Central Unit: Those portions of 

the State not in the Niobrara and Platte 

River zones. 

Light Geese 

Rainwater Basin Light Goose Area: 

The area bounded by the junction of NE 

Hwy 92 and NE Hwy 15, south along NE 

Hwy 15 to NE Hwy 4, west along NE 

Hwy 4 to U.S. Hwy 34, west along U.S. 

Hwy 34 to U.S. Hwy 283, north along 

U.S. Hwy 283 to U.S. Hwy 30, east along 

U.S. Hwy 30 to NE Hwy 92, east along 

NE Hwy 92 to the beginning. 

Remainder of State: The remainder of 

Nebraska. 

New Mexico (Central Flyway Portion) 

Dark Geese 

Middle Rio Grande Valley Unit: 

Sierra, Socorro, and Valencia Counties. 

Remainder: The remainder of the 

Central Flyway portion of New Mexico. 

North Dakota 

Missouri River Canada and Cackling 

Goose Zone: The area within and 

bounded by a line starting where ND 

Hwy 6 crosses the South Dakota border; 

then north on ND Hwy 6 to I-94; then 

west on I-94 to ND Hwy 49; then north 

on ND Hwy 49 to ND Hwy 200; then 

west on ND Hwy 200; then north on ND 

Hwy 8 to the Mercer/McLean County 

line; then east following the county line 

until it turns south toward Garrison 

Dam; then east along a line (including 

Mallard Island) of Lake Sakakawea to 

U.S. Hwy 83; then south on U.S. Hwy 

83 to ND Hwy 200; then east on ND 

Hwy 200 to ND Hwy 41; then south on 

ND Hwy 41 to U.S. Hwy 83; then south 

on U.S. Hwy 83 to I-94; then east on 

I-94 to U.S. Hwy 83; then south on U.S. 

Hwy 83 to the South Dakota border; 

then west along the South Dakota border 

to ND Hwy 6. 

Western North Dakota Canada and 

Cackling Goose Zone: Same as the High 

Plains Unit for ducks, mergansers and 

coots, excluding the Missouri River 

Canada Goose Zone. 

Rest of State: Remainder of North 

Dakota. 

South Dakota 

Early Canada and Cackling Goose 

Seasons 

Special Early Canada and Cackling 

Goose Unit: The Counties of Campbell, 

Clark, Codington, Day, Deuel, Grant, 

Hamlin, Marshall, Roberts, Walworth; 

that portion of Perkins County west of 

State Highway 75 and south of State 

Highway 20; that portion of Dewey 

County north of Bureau of Indian Affairs 

Road 8, Bureau of Indian Affairs Road 

9, and the section of U.S. Highway 212 

east of the Bureau of Indian Affairs Road 

8 junction; that portion of Potter County 

east of U.S. Highway 83; that portion of 

Sully County east of U.S. Highway 83; 

portions of Hyde, Buffalo, Brule, and 

Charles Mix Counties north and east of 

a line beginning at the Hughes-Hyde 

County line on State Highway 34, east 

to Lees Boulevard, southeast to State 

Highway 34, east 7 miles to 350th 

Avenue, south to Interstate 90 on 350th 

Avenue, south and east on State 

Highway 50 to Geddes, east on 285th 

Street to U.S. Highway 281, and north 

on U.S. Highway 281 to the Charles 

Mix-Douglas County boundary; that 

portion of Bon Homme County north of 

State Highway 50; those portions of 

Yankton and Clay Counties north of a 

line beginning at the junction of State 

Highway 50 and 306th Street/County 

Highway 585 in Bon Homme County, 

east to U.S. Highway 81, then north on 

U.S. Highway 81 to 303rd Street, then 

east on 303rd Street to 444th Avenue, 

then south on 444th Avenue to 305th 

Street, then east on 305th Street/Bluff 

Road to State Highway 19, then south to 

State Highway 50 and east to the Clay/ 

Union County Line; Aurora, Beadle, 

Brookings, Brown, Butte, Corson, 

Davison, Douglas, Edmunds, Faulk, 

Haakon, Hand, Hanson, Harding, 

Hutchinson, Jackson, Jerauld, Jones, 

Kingsbury, Lake, McCook, McPherson, 

Meade, Mellette, Miner, Moody, Oglala 

Lakota (formerly Shannon), Sanborn, 

Spink, Todd, Turner, and Ziebach 

Counties; and those portions of 

Minnehaha and Lincoln Counties 

outside of an area bounded by a line 

beginning at the junction of the South 

Dakota-Minnesota State line and 

Minnehaha County Highway 122 (254th 

Street) west to its junction with 

Minnehaha County Highway 149 (464th 

Avenue), south on Minnehaha County 

Highway 149 (464th Avenue) to 

Hartford, then south on Minnehaha 

County Highway 151 (463rd Avenue) to 

State Highway 42, east on State 

Highway 42 to State Highway 17, south 

on State Highway 17 to its junction with 

Lincoln County Highway 116 (Klondike 

Road), and east on Lincoln County 

Highway 116 (Klondike Road) to the 

South Dakota-Iowa State line, then 

north along the South Dakota-Iowa and 

South Dakota-Minnesota border to the 

junction of the South Dakota-Minnesota 

State line and Minnehaha County 

Highway 122 (254th Street). 

Regular Seasons 

Unit 1: Same as that for the Special 

Early Canada and Cackling Goose Unit. 

Unit 2: All of South Dakota not 

included in Unit 1 and Unit 3. 

Unit 3: Bennett County. 

Texas 

Northeast Goose Zone: That portion of 

Texas lying east and north of a line 

beginning at the Texas-Oklahoma border 

at U.S. 81, then continuing south to 

Bowie and then southeasterly along U.S. 

81 and U.S. 287 to I-35W and I-35 to the 

juncture with I-10 in San Antonio, then 

east on I-10 to the Texas-Louisiana 

border. 

Southeast Goose Zone: That portion 

of Texas lying east and south of a line 

beginning at the International Toll 

Bridge at Laredo, then continuing north 

following I-35 to the juncture with I-10 

in San Antonio, then easterly along I-10 

to the Texas-Louisiana border. 

West Goose Zone: The remainder of 

the State. 

Wyoming (Central Flyway Portion) 

Dark Geese 

Zone G1: Big Horn, Converse, Hot 

Springs, Natrona, Park, and Washakie 

Counties. 

Zone G1A: Goshen and Platte 

Counties. 

Zone G2: Campbell, Crook, Johnson, 

Niobrara, Sheridan, and Weston 

Counties. 

Zone G3: Albany and Laramie 

Counties; and that portion of Carbon 

County east of the Continental Divide. 

Zone G4: Fremont County excluding 

those portions south or west of the 

Continental Divide. 

Pacific Flyway 

Arizona 

Same zones as for ducks. 

California 

Northeastern Zone: That portion of 

California lying east and north of a line 

beginning at the intersection of 

Interstate 5 with the California-Oregon 

line; south along Interstate 5 to its 

junction with Walters Lane south of the 

town of Yreka; west along Walters Lane 

to its junction with Easy Street; south 

along Easy Street to the junction with 

Old Highway 99; south along Old 

Highway 99 to the point of intersection 

with Interstate 5 north of the town of 

Weed; south along Interstate 5 to its 

junction with Highway 89; east and 

south along Highway 89 to main street 

Greenville; north and east to its junction 

with North Valley Road; south to its 

junction of Diamond Mountain Road; 

north and east to its junction with North 

Arm Road; south and west to the 

junction of North Valley Road; south to 

the junction with Arlington Road (A22); 

west to the junction of Highway 89; 

south and west to the junction of 

Highway 70; east on Highway 70 to 

Highway 395; south and east on 


tkelley on DSKBCP9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS2
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 33 / Monday, February 22, 2021 / Proposed Rule 10651 

Highway 395 to the point of intersection 

with the California-Nevada State line; 

north along the California-Nevada State 

line to the junction of the CaliforniaNevada-Oregon State lines west along 

the California-Oregon State line to the 

point of origin. 

Klamath Basin Special Management 

Area: Beginning at the intersection of 

Highway 161 and Highway 97; east on 

Highway 161 to Hill Road; south on Hill 

Road to N Dike Road West Side; east on 

N Dike Road West Side until the 

junction of the Lost River; north on N 

Dike Road West Side until the Volcanic 

Legacy Scenic Byway; east on Volcanic 

Legacy Scenic Byway until N Dike Road 

East Side; south on the N Dike Road 

East Side; continue east on N Dike Road 

East Side to Highway 111; south on 

Highway 111/Great Northern Road to 

Highway 120/Highway 124; west on 

Highway 120/Highway 124 to Hill Road; 

south on Hill Road until Lairds Camp 

Road; west on Lairds Camp Road until 

Willow Creek; west and south on 

Willow Creek to Red Rock Road; west 

on Red Rock Road until Meiss Lake 

Road/Old State Highway; north on 

Meiss Lake Road/Old State Highway to 

Highway 97; north on Highway 97 to the 

point of origin. 

Colorado River Zone: Those portions 

of San Bernardino, Riverside, and 

Imperial Counties east of a line from the 

intersection of Highway 95 with the 

California-Nevada State line; south on 

Highway 95 through the junction with 

Highway 40; south on Highway 95 to 

Vidal Junction; south through the town 

of Rice to the San Bernardino-Riverside 

County line on a road known as 

‘‘Aqueduct Road’’ also known as 

Highway 62 in San Bernardino County; 

southwest on Highway 62 to Desert 

Center Rice Road; south on Desert 

Center Rice Road/Highway 177 to the 

town of Desert Center; east 31 miles on 

Interstate 10 to its intersection with 

Wiley Well Road; south on Wiley Well 

Road to Wiley Well; southeast on 

Milpitas Wash Road to the Blythe, 

Brawley, Davis Lake intersections; south 

on Blythe Ogilby Road also known as 

County Highway 34 to its intersection 

with Ogilby Road; south on Ogilby Road 

to its intersection with Interstate 8; east 

7 miles on Interstate 8 to its intersection 

with the Andrade-Algodones Road/ 

Highway 186; south on Highway 186 to 

its intersection with the U.S.-Mexico 

border at Los Algodones, Mexico. 

Southern Zone: That portion of 

southern California (but excluding the 

Colorado River zone) south and east of 

a line beginning at the mouth of the 

Santa Maria River at the Pacific Ocean; 

east along the Santa Maria River to 

where it crosses Highway 101-166 near 

the City of Santa Maria; north on 

Highway 101-166; east on Highway 166 

to the junction with Highway 99; south 

on Highway 99 to the junction of 

Interstate 5; south on Interstate 5 to the 

crest of the Tehachapi Mountains at 

Tejon Pass; east and north along the 

crest of the Tehachapi Mountains to 

where it intersects Highway 178 at 

Walker Pass; east on Highway 178 to the 

junction of Highway 395 at the town of 

Inyokern; south on Highway 395 to the 

junction of Highway 58; east on 

Highway 58 to the junction of Interstate 

15; east on Interstate 15 to the junction 

with Highway 127; north on Highway 

127 to the point of intersection with the 

California-Nevada State line. 

Imperial County Special Management 

Area: The area bounded by a line 

beginning at Highway 86 and the Navy 

Test Base Road; south on Highway 86 to 

the town of Westmoreland; continue 

through the town of Westmoreland to 

Route S26; east on Route S26 to 

Highway 115; north on Highway 115 to 

Weist Road; north on Weist Road to 

Flowing Wells Road; northeast on 

Flowing Wells Road to the Coachella 

Canal; northwest on the Coachella Canal 

to Drop 18; a straight line from Drop 18 

to Frink Road; south on Frink Road to 

Highway 111; north on Highway 111 to 

Niland Marina Road; southwest on 

Niland Marina Road to the old Imperial 

County boat ramp and the water line of 

the Salton Sea; from the water line of 

the Salton Sea, a straight line across the 

Salton Sea to the Salinity Control 

Research Facility and the Navy Test 

Base Road; southwest on the Navy Test 

Base Road to the point of beginning. 

Balance of State Zone: The remainder 

of California not included in the 

Northeastern, Colorado River, and 

Southern Zones. 

North Coast Special Management 

Area: Del Norte and Humboldt 

Counties. 

Sacramento Valley Special 

Management Area: That area bounded 

by a line beginning at Willows south on 

I-5 to Hahn Road; easterly on Hahn 

Road and the Grimes-Arbuckle Road to 

Grimes; northerly on CA 45 to the 

junction with CA 162; northerly on CA 

45/162 to Glenn; and westerly on CA 

162 to the point of beginning in 

Willows. 

Colorado (Pacific Flyway Portion) 

Same zones as for ducks. 

Idaho 

Canada and Cackling Geese and Brant 

Zone 1: All lands and waters within 

the Fort Hall Indian Reservation, 

including private in-holdings; Bannock 

County; Bingham County, except that 

portion within the Blackfoot Reservoir 

drainage; Caribou County within the 

Fort Hall Indian Reservation; and Power 

County east of State Highway 37 and 

State Highway 39. 

Zone 2: Bonneville, Butte, Clark, 

Fremont, Jefferson, Madison, and Teton 

Counties. 

Zone 3: Ada, Adams, Benewah, 

Blaine, Boise, Bonner, Boundary, 

Camas, Canyon, Cassia, Clearwater, 

Custer, Elmore, Franklin, Gem, Gooding, 

Idaho, Jerome, Kootenai, Latah, Lemhi, 

Lewis, Lincoln, Minidoka, Nez Perce, 

Oneida, Owyhee, Payette, Shoshone, 

Twin Falls, and Washington Counties; 

and Power County west of State 

Highway 37 and State Highway 39. 

Zone 4: Bear Lake County; Bingham 

County within the Blackfoot Reservoir 

drainage; and Caribou County, except 

that portion within the Fort Hall Indian 

Reservation. 

Zone 5: Valley County. 

White-fronted Geese 

Zone 1: All lands and waters within 

the Fort Hall Indian Reservation, 

including private in-holdings; Bannock 

County; Bingham County except that 

portion within the Blackfoot Reservoir 

drainage; Caribou County within the 

Fort Hall Indian Reservation; and Power 

County east of State Highway 37 and 

State Highway 39. 

Zone 2: Bear Lake, Bonneville, Butte, 

Clark, Fremont, Jefferson, Madison, and 

Teton Counties; Bingham County within 

the Blackfoot Reservoir drainage; and 

Caribou County except within the Fort 

Hall Indian Reservation. 

Zone 3: Adams, Benewah, Blaine, 

Bonner, Boundary, Camas, Clearwater, 

Custer, Franklin, Idaho, Kootenai, Latah, 

Lemhi, Lewis, Nez Perce, Oneida, and 

Shoshone Counties; and Power County 

west of State Highway 37 and State 

Highway 39. 

Zone 4: Ada, Boise, Canyon, Cassia, 

Elmore, Gem, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, 

Minidoka, Owyhee, Payette, Twin Falls, 

and Washington Counties. 

Zone 5: Valley County. 

Light Geese 

Zone 1: All lands and waters within 

the Fort Hall Indian Reservation, 

including private in-holdings; Bannock 

County; Bingham County east of the 

west bank of the Snake River, west of 

the McTucker boat ramp access road, 

and east of the American Falls Reservoir 

bluff, except that portion within the 

Blackfoot Reservoir drainage; Caribou 

County within the Fort Hall Indian 

Reservation; and Power County below 

the American Falls Reservoir bluff, and 

within the Fort Hall Indian Reservation. 


tkelley on DSKBCP9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS2
10652 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 33 / Monday, February 22, 2021 / Proposed Rule 

Zone 2: Franklin and Oneida 

Counties; Bingham County west of the 

west bank of the Snake River, east of the 

McTucker boat ramp access road, and 

west of the American Falls Reservoir 

bluff; Power County, except below the 

American Falls Reservoir bluff and 

those lands and waters within the Fort 

Hall Indian Reservation. 

Zone 3: Ada, Boise, Canyon, Cassia, 

Elmore, Gem, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, 

Minidoka, Owyhee, Payette, Twin Falls, 

and Washington Counties. 

Zone 4: Adams, Benewah, Blaine, 

Bonner, Boundary, Camas, Clearwater, 

Custer, Idaho, Kootenai, Latah, Lemhi, 

Lewis, Nez Perce, and Shoshone 

Counties. 

Zone 5: Bear Lake, Bonneville, Butte, 

Clark, Fremont, Jefferson, Madison, and 

Teton Counties; Bingham County within 

the Blackfoot Reservoir drainage; and 

Caribou County except within the Fort 

Hall Indian Reservation. 

Zone 6: Valley County. 

Nevada 

Same zones as for ducks. 

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 

Northwest Permit Zone: Benton, 

Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Lane, 

Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, 

Polk, Tillamook, Washington, and 

Yamhill Counties. 

Tillamook County Management Area: 

That portion of Tillamook County 

beginning at the point where Old Woods 

Road crosses the south shores of Horn 

Creek, north on Old Woods Road to 

Sand Lake Road at Woods, north on 

Sand Lake Road to the intersection with 

McPhillips Drive, due west (∼200 yards) 

from the intersection to the Pacific 

coastline, south along the Pacific 

coastline to a point due west of the 

western end of Pacific Avenue in Pacific 

City, east from this point (∼250 yards) to 

Pacific Avenue, east on Pacific Avenue 

to Brooten Road, south and then east on 

Brooten Road to Highway 101, north on 

Highway 101 to Resort Drive, north on 

Resort Drive to a point due west of the 

south shores of Horn Creek at its 

confluence with the Nestucca River, due 

east (∼80 yards) across the Nestucca 

River to the south shores of Horn Creek, 

east along the south shores of Horn 

Creek to the point of beginning. 

Southwest Zone: Those portions of 

Douglas, Coos, and Curry Counties east 

of Highway 101, and Josephine and 

Jackson Counties. 

South Coast Zone: Those portions of 

Douglas, Coos, and Curry Counties west 

of Highway 101. 

Eastern Zone: Baker, Crook, 

Deschutes, Grant, Harney, Jefferson, 

Klamath, Lake, Malheur, Union, 

Wallowa, and Wheeler Counties. 

Mid-Columbia Zone: Gilliam, Hood 

River, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, and 

Wasco Counties. 

Utah 

East Box Elder County Zone: 

Boundary begins at the intersection of 

the eastern boundary of Public Shooting 

Grounds Waterfowl Management Area 

and SR-83 (Promontory Road); east 

along SR-83 to I-15; south on I-15 to the 

Perry access road; southwest along this 

road to the Bear River Bird Refuge 

boundary; west, north, and then east 

along the refuge boundary until it 

intersects the Public Shooting Grounds 

Waterfowl Management Area boundary; 

east and north along the Public Shooting 

Grounds Waterfowl Management Area 

boundary to SR-83. 

Wasatch Front Zone: Boundary begins 

at the Weber-Box Elder County line at 

I-15; east along Weber County line to 

U.S.-89; south on U.S.-89 to I-84; east 

and south on I-84 to I-80; south on I-80 

to U.S.-189; south and west on U.S.-189 

to the Utah County line; southeast and 

then west along this line to the Tooele 

County line; north along the Tooele 

County line to I-80; east on I-80 to Exit 

99; north from Exit 99 along a direct line 

to the southern tip of Promontory Point 

and Promontory Road; east and north 

along this road to the causeway 

separating Bear River Bay from Ogden 

Bay; east on this causeway to the 

southwest corner of Great Salt Lake 

Mineral Corporations (GSLMC) west 

impoundment; north and east along 

GSLMC’s west impoundment to the 

northwest corner of the impoundment; 

north from this point along a direct line 

to the southern boundary of Bear River 

Migratory Bird Refuge; east along this 

southern boundary to the Perry access 

road; northeast along this road to I-15; 

south along I-15 to the Weber-Box Elder 

County line. 

Southern Zone: Boundary includes 

Beaver, Carbon, Emery, Garfield, Grand, 

Iron, Juab, Kane, Millard, Piute, San 

Juan, Sanpete, Sevier, Washington, and 

Wayne Counties, and that part of Tooele 

County south of I-80. 

Northern Zone: The remainder of 

Utah not included in the East Box Elder 

County, Wasatch Front, and Southern 

Zones. 

Washington 

Area 1: Skagit and Whatcom 

Counties, and that portion of 

Snohomish County west of Interstate 5. 

Area 2 Inland (Southwest Permit 

Zone): Clark, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum 

Counties, and that portion of Grays 

Harbor County east of Highway 101. 

Area 2 Coastal (Southwest Permit 

Zone): Pacific County and that portion 

of Grays Harbor County west of 

Highway 101. 

Area 3: All areas west of the Pacific 

Crest Trail and west of the Big White 

Salmon River that are not included in 

Areas 1, 2 Coastal, and 2 Inland. 

Area 4: Adams, Benton, Chelan, 

Douglas, Franklin, Grant, Kittitas, 

Lincoln, Okanogan, Spokane, and Walla 

Walla Counties. 

Area 5: All areas east of the Pacific 

Crest Trail and east of the Big White 

Salmon River that are not included in 

Area 4. 

Brant 

Pacific Flyway 

California 

Northern Zone: Del Norte, Humboldt, 

and Mendocino Counties. 

Balance of State Zone: The remainder 

of the State not included in the 

Northern Zone. 

Washington 

Puget Sound Zone: Clallam, Skagit, 

and Whatcom Counties. 

Coastal Zone: Pacific County. 

Swans 

Central Flyway 

South Dakota 

Open Area: Aurora, Beadle, 

Brookings, Brown, Brule, Buffalo, 

Campbell, Clark, Codington, Davison, 

Day, Deuel, 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 

Idaho 

Open Area: Benewah, Bonner, 

Boundary, and Kootenai Counties. 

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. 


tkelley on DSKBCP9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS2
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 33 / Monday, February 22, 2021 / Proposed Rule 10653 

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. 

Doves 

Alabama 

South Zone: Baldwin, Coffee, 

Covington, Dale, Escambia, Geneva, 

Henry, Houston, and Mobile Counties. 

North Zone: Remainder of the State. 

Florida 

Northwest Zone: The Counties of Bay, 

Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, 

Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, 

Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton, 

Washington, Leon (except that portion 

north of U.S. 27 and east of State Road 

155), Jefferson (south of U.S. 27, west of 

State Road 59 and north of U.S. 98), and 

Wakulla (except that portion south of 

U.S. 98 and east of the St. Marks River). 

South Zone: The remainder of the 

State. 

Louisiana 

North Zone: That portion of the State 

north of a line extending east from the 

Texas border along State Highway 12 to 

U.S. Highway 190, east along U.S. 

Highway 190 to Interstate Highway 12, 

east along Interstate Highway 12 to 

Interstate Highway 10, then east along 

Interstate Highway 10 to the Mississippi 

border. 

South Zone: The remainder of the 

State. 

Mississippi 

North Zone: That portion of the State 

north and west of a line extending west 

from the Alabama State line along U.S. 

Highway 84 to its junction with State 

Highway 35, then south along State 

Highway 35 to the Louisiana State line. 

South Zone: The remainder of 

Mississippi. 

Oregon 

Zone 1: Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, 

Columbia, Coos, Curry, Douglas, 

Gilliam, Hood River, Jackson, Josephine, 

Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Morrow, 

Multnomah, Polk, Sherman, Tillamook, 

Umatilla, Wasco, Washington, and 

Yamhill, Counties. 

Zone 2: The remainder of Oregon not 

included in Zone 1. 

Texas 

North Zone: That portion of the State 

north of a line beginning at the 

International Bridge south of Fort 

Hancock; north along FM 1088 to TX 20; 

west along TX 20 to TX 148; north along 

TX 148 to I-10 at Fort Hancock; east 

along I-10 to I-20; northeast along I-20 

to I-30 at Fort Worth; northeast along 

I-30 to the Texas-Arkansas State line. 

Central Zone: That portion of the 

State lying between the North and South 

Zones. 

South Zone: That portion of the State 

south and west of a line beginning at the 

International Bridge south of Del Rio, 

proceeding east on U.S. 90 to State Loop 

1604 west of San Antonio; then south, 

east, and north along Loop 1604 to I-10 

east of San Antonio; then east on I-10 to 

Orange, Texas. 

Special White-winged Dove Area: 

Same as the South Zone. 

Band-tailed Pigeons 

California 

North Zone: Alpine, Butte, Del Norte, 

Glenn, Humboldt, Lassen, Mendocino, 

Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, 

Siskiyou, Tehama, and Trinity Counties. 

South Zone: The remainder of the 

State not included in the North Zone. 

New Mexico 

North Zone: North of a line following 

U.S. 60 from the Arizona State line east 

to I-25 at Socorro and then south along 

I-25 from Socorro to the Texas State 

line. 

South Zone: The remainder of the 

State not included in the North Zone. 

Washington 

Western Washington: The State of 

Washington excluding those portions 

lying east of the Pacific Crest Trail and 

east of the Big White Salmon River in 

Klickitat County. 

American Woodcock 

New Jersey 

North Zone: That portion of the State 

north of NJ 70. 

South Zone: The remainder of the 

State. 

Sandhill Cranes 

Mississippi Flyway 

Alabama 

Open Area: That area north of 

Interstate 20 from the Georgia State line 

to the interchange with Interstate 65, 

then east of Interstate 65 to the 

interchange with Interstate 22, then 

north of Interstate 22 to the Mississippi 

State line. 

Minnesota 

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. 

Tennessee 

Southeast Crane Zone: That portion of 

the State south of Interstate 40 and east 

of State Highway 56. 

Remainder of State: That portion of 

Tennessee outside of the Southeast 

Crane Zone. 

Central Flyway 

Colorado 

Open Area: The Central Flyway 

portion of the State except the San Luis 

Valley (Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, 

Hinsdale, Mineral, Rio Grande, and 

Saguache Counties east of the 

Continental Divide) and North Park 

(Jackson County). 

Kansas 

Central Zone: That portion of the 

State within an area bounded by a line 

beginning where I-35 crosses the 

Kansas-Oklahoma border, then north on 

I-35 to Wichita, then north on I-135 to 

Salina, then north on U.S. 81 to the 

Nebraska border, then west along the 

Kansas/Nebraska border to its 

intersection with Hwy 283, then south 

on Hwy 283 to the intersection with 

Hwy 18/24, then east along Hwy 18 to 

Hwy 183, then south on Hwy 183 to 

Route 1, then south on Route 1 to the 

Oklahoma border, then east along the 

Kansas/Oklahoma border to where it 

crosses I-35. 

West Zone: That portion of the State 

west of the western boundary of the 

Central Zone. 

Montana 

Regular Season Open Area: The 

Central Flyway portion of the State 

except for that area south and west of 


tkelley on DSKBCP9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS2
10654 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 33 / Monday, February 22, 2021 / Proposed Rule 

Interstate 90, which is closed to sandhill 

crane hunting. 

Special Season Open Area: Carbon 

County. 

New Mexico 

Regular-Season Open Area: Chaves, 

Curry, De Baca, Eddy, Lea, Quay, and 

Roosevelt Counties. 

Special Season Open Areas 

Middle Rio Grande Valley Area: The 

Central Flyway portion of New Mexico 

in Socorro and Valencia Counties. 

Estancia Valley Area: Those portions 

of Santa Fe, Torrance, and Bernallilo 

Counties within an area bounded on the 

west by New Mexico Highway 55 

beginning at Mountainair north to NM 

337, north to NM 14, north to I-25; on 

the north by I-25 east to U.S. 285; on the 

east by U.S. 285 south to U.S. 60; and 

on the south by U.S. 60 from U.S. 285 

west to NM 55 in Mountainair. 

Southwest Zone: Area bounded on the 

south by the New Mexico-Mexico 

border; on the west by the New MexicoArizona border north to Interstate 10; on 

the north by Interstate 10 east to U.S. 

180, north to NM 26, east to NM 27, 

north to NM 152, and east to Interstate 

25; on the east by Interstate 25 south to 

Interstate 10, west to the Luna County 

line, and south to the New MexicoMexico border. 

North Dakota 

Area 1: That portion of the State west 

of U.S. 281. 

Area 2: That portion of the State east 

of U.S. 281. 

Oklahoma 

Open Area: That portion of the State 

west of I-35. 

South Dakota 

Open Area: That portion of the State 

lying west of a line beginning at the 

South Dakota-North Dakota border and 

State Highway 25, south on State 

Highway 25 to its junction with State 

Highway 34, east on State Highway 34 

to its junction with U.S. Highway 81, 

then south on U.S. Highway 81 to the 

South Dakota-Nebraska border. 

Texas 

Zone A: That portion of Texas lying 

west of a line beginning at the 

international toll bridge at Laredo, then 

northeast along U.S. Highway 81 to its 

junction with Interstate Highway 35 in 

Laredo, then north along Interstate 

Highway 35 to its junction with 

Interstate Highway 10 in San Antonio, 

then northwest along Interstate Highway 

10 to its junction with U.S. Highway 83 

at Junction, then north along U.S. 

Highway 83 to its junction with U.S. 

Highway 62, 16 miles north of 

Childress, then east along U.S. Highway 

62 to the Texas-Oklahoma State line. 

Zone B: That portion of Texas lying 

within boundaries beginning at the 

junction of U.S. Highway 81 and the 

Texas-Oklahoma State line, then 

southeast along U.S. Highway 81 to its 

junction with U.S. Highway 287 in 

Montague County, then southeast along 

U.S. Highway 287 to its junction with 

Interstate Highway 35W in Fort Worth, 

then southwest along Interstate 

Highway 35 to its junction with 

Interstate Highway 10 in San Antonio, 

then northwest along Interstate Highway 

10 to its junction with U.S. Highway 83 

in the town of Junction, then north 

along U.S. Highway 83 to its junction 

with U.S. Highway 62, 16 miles north of 

Childress, then east along U.S. Highway 

62 to the Texas-Oklahoma State line, 

then south along the Texas-Oklahoma 

State line to the south bank of the Red 

River, then eastward along the 

vegetation line on the south bank of the 

Red River to U.S. Highway 81. 

Zone C: The remainder of the State, 

except for the closed areas. 

Closed areas: 

A. That portion of the State lying east 

and north of a line beginning at the 

junction of U.S. Highway 81 and the 

Texas-Oklahoma State line, then 

southeast along U.S. Highway 81 to its 

junction with U.S. Highway 287 in 

Montague County, then southeast along 

U.S. Highway 287 to its junction with 

I-35W in Fort Worth, then southwest 

along I-35 to its junction with U.S. 

Highway 290 East in Austin, then east 

along U.S. Highway 290 to its junction 

with Interstate Loop 610 in Harris 

County, then south and east along 

Interstate Loop 610 to its junction with 

Interstate Highway 45 in Houston, then 

south on Interstate Highway 45 to State 

Highway 342, then to the shore of the 

Gulf of Mexico, and then north and east 

along the shore of the Gulf of Mexico to 

the Texas-Louisiana State line. 

B. That portion of the State lying 

within the boundaries of a line 

beginning at the Kleberg-Nueces County 

line and the shore of the Gulf of Mexico, 

then west along the County line to Park 

Road 22 in Nueces County, then north 

and west along Park Road 22 to its 

junction with State Highway 358 in 

Corpus Christi, then west and north 

along State Highway 358 to its junction 

with State Highway 286, then north 

along State Highway 286 to its junction 

with Interstate Highway 37, then east 

along Interstate Highway 37 to its 

junction with U.S. Highway 181, then 

north and west along U.S. Highway 181 

to its junction with U.S. Highway 77 in 

Sinton, then north and east along U.S. 

Highway 77 to its junction with U.S. 

Highway 87 in Victoria, then south and 

east along U.S. Highway 87 to its 

junction with State Highway 35 at Port 

Lavaca, then north and east along State 

Highway 35 to the south end of the 

Lavaca Bay Causeway, then south and 

east along the shore of Lavaca Bay to its 

junction with the Port Lavaca Ship 

Channel, then south and east along the 

Lavaca Bay Ship Channel to the Gulf of 

Mexico, and then south and west along 

the shore of the Gulf of Mexico to the 

Kleberg-Nueces County line. 

Wyoming 

Area 7: Campbell, Converse, Crook, 

Goshen, Laramie, Niobrara, Platte, and 

Weston Counties. 

Area 4: All lands within the Bureau 

of Reclamation’s Riverton and Boysen 

Unit boundaries; those lands within 

Boysen State Park south of Cottonwood 

Creek, west of Boysen Reservoir, and 

south of U.S. Highway 20-26; and all 

non-Indian owned fee title lands within 

the exterior boundaries of the Wind 

River Reservation, excluding those 

lands within Hot Springs County. 

Area 6: Big Horn, Hot Springs, Park, 

and Washakie Counties. 

Area 8: Johnson, Natrona, and 

Sheridan Counties. 

Pacific Flyway 

Arizona 

Zone 1: Beginning at the junction of 

the New Mexico State line and U.S. 

Hwy 80; south along the State line to the 

U.S.-Mexico border; west along the 

border to the San Pedro River; north 

along the San Pedro River to the 

junction with Arizona Hwy 77; 

northerly along Arizona Hwy 77 to the 

Gila River; northeast along the Gila 

River to the San Carlos Indian 

Reservation boundary; south then east 

and north along the reservation 

boundary to U.S. Hwy 70; southeast on 

U.S. Hwy 70 to U.S. Hwy 191; south on 

U.S. Hwy 191 to the 352 exit on I-10; 

east on I-10 to Bowie-Apache Pass Road; 

southerly on the Bowie-Apache Pass 

Road to Arizona Hwy 186; southeasterly 

on Arizona Hwy 186 to Arizona Hwy 

181; south on Arizona Hwy 181 to the 

West Turkey Creek-Kuykendall cutoff 

road; southerly on the Kuykendall cutoff 

road to Rucker Canyon Road; easterly on 

Rucker Canyon Road to the Tex Canyon 

Road; southerly on Tex Canyon Road to 

U.S. Hwy 80; northeast on U.S. Hwy 80 

to the New Mexico State line. 

Zone 2: Beginning at I-10 and the New 

Mexico State line; north along the State 

line to Arizona Hwy 78; southwest on 

Arizona Hwy 78 to U.S. Hwy 191; 

northwest on U.S. Hwy 191 to Clifton; 


tkelley on DSKBCP9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS2
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 33 / Monday, February 22, 2021 / Proposed Rule 10655 

westerly on the Lower Eagle Creek Road 

(Pump Station Road) to Eagle Creek; 

northerly along Eagle Creek to the San 

Carlos Indian Reservation boundary; 

southerly and west along the reservation 

boundary to U.S. Hwy 70; southeast on 

U.S. Hwy 70 to U.S. Hwy 191; south on 

U.S. Hwy 191 to I-10; easterly on I-10 

to the New Mexico State line. 

Zone 3: Beginning on I-10 at the New 

Mexico State line; westerly on I-10 to 

the Bowie-Apache Pass Road; southerly 

on the Bowie-Apache Pass Road to AZ 

Hwy 186; southeast on AZ Hwy 186 to 

AZ Hwy 181; south on AZ Hwy 181 to 

the West Turkey Creek-Kuykendall 

cutoff road; southerly on the Kuykendall 

cutoff road to Rucker Canyon Road; 

easterly on the Rucker Canyon Road to 

Tex Canyon Road; southerly on Tex 

Canyon Road to U.S. Hwy 80; northeast 

on U.S. Hwy 80 to the New Mexico 

State line; north along the State line to 

I-10. 

Idaho 

Area 1: All of Bear Lake County and 

all of Caribou County except that 

portion lying within the Grays Lake 

Basin. 

Area 2: All of Teton County except 

that portion lying west of State Highway 

33 and south of Packsaddle Road (West 

400 North) and north of the North 

Cedron Road (West 600 South) and east 

of the west bank of the Teton River. 

Area 3: All of Fremont County except 

the Chester Wetlands Wildlife 

Management Area. 

Area 4: All of Jefferson County. 

Area 5: All of Bannock County east of 

Interstate 15 and south of U.S. Highway 

30; and all of Franklin County. 

Area 6: That portion of Oneida 

County within the boundary beginning 

at the intersection of the Idaho-Utah 

border and Old Highway 191, then 

north on Old Highway 191 to 1500 S, 

then west on 1500 S to Highway 38, 

then west on Highway 38 to 5400 W, 

then south on 5400 W to Pocatello 

Valley Road, then west and south on 

Pocatello Valley Road to 10000 W, then 

south on 10000 W to the Idaho-Utah 

border, then east along the Idaho-Utah 

border to the beginning point. 

Montana 

Zone 1: Those portions of Deer Lodge 

County lying within the following 

described boundary: Beginning at the 

intersection of I-90 and Highway 273, 

then westerly along Highway 273 to the 

junction of Highway 1, then southeast 

along said highway to Highway 275 at 

Opportunity, then east along said 

highway to East Side County road, then 

north along said road to Perkins Lane, 

then west on said lane to I-90, then 

north on said interstate to the junction 

of Highway 273, the point of beginning. 

Except for sections 13 and 24, T5N, 

R10W; and Warm Springs Pond number 

3. 

Zone 2: That portion of the Pacific 

Flyway, located in Powell County lying 

within the following described 

boundary: beginning at the junction of 

State Routes 141 and 200, then west 

along Route 200 to its intersection with 

the Blackfoot River at Russell Gates 

Fishing Access Site (Powell-Missoula 

County line), then southeast along said 

river to its intersection with the 

Ovando-Helmville Road (County Road 

104) at Cedar Meadows Fishing Access 

Site, then south and east along said road 

to its junction with State Route 141, 

then north along said route to its 

junction with State Route 200, the point 

of beginning. 

Zone 3: Beaverhead, Gallatin, 

Jefferson, and Madison Counties. 

Zone 4: Broadwater County. 

Zone 5: Cascade and Teton Counties. 

Utah 

Cache County: Cache County. 

East Box Elder County: That portion 

of Box Elder County beginning on the 

Utah-Idaho State line at the Box ElderCache County line; west on the State 

line to the Pocatello Valley County 

Road; south on the Pocatello Valley 

County Road to I-15; southeast on I-15 

to SR-83; south on SR-83 to Lamp 

Junction; west and south on the 

Promontory Point County Road to the 

tip of Promontory Point; south from 

Promontory Point to the Box ElderWeber County line; east on the Box 

Elder-Weber County line to the Box 

Elder-Cache County line; north on the 

Box Elder-Cache County line to the 

Utah-Idaho State line. 

Rich County: Rich County. 

Uintah County: Uintah and Duchesne 

Counties. 

Wyoming 

Area 1: All of the Bear River and 

Ham’s Fork River drainages in Lincoln 

County. 

Area 2: All of the Salt River drainage 

in Lincoln County south of the McCoy 

Creek Road. 

Area 3: All lands within the Bureau 

of Reclamation’s Eden Project in 

Sweetwater County. 

Area 5: Uinta County. 

All Migratory Game Birds in Alaska 

North Zone: State Game Management 

Units 11–13 and 17–26. 

Gulf Coast Zone: State Game 

Management Units 5–7, 9, 14–16, and 

10 (Unimak Island only). 

Southeast Zone: State Game 

Management Units 1–4. 

Pribilof and Aleutian Islands Zone: 

State Game Management Unit 10 (except 

Unimak Island). 

Kodiak Zone: State Game 

Management Unit 8. 

All Migratory Game Birds in the Virgin 

Islands 

Ruth Cay Closure Area: The island of 

Ruth Cay, just south of St. Croix. 

All Migratory Game Birds in Puerto 

Rico 

Municipality of Culebra Closure Area: 

All of the municipality of Culebra. 

Desecheo Island Closure Area: All of 

Desecheo Island. 

Mona Island Closure Area: All of 

Mona Island. 

El Verde Closure Area: Those areas of 

the municipalities of Rio Grande and 

Loiza delineated as follows: (1) All 

lands between Routes 956 on the west 

and 186 on the east, from Route 3 on the 

north to the juncture of Routes 956 and 

186 (Km 13.2) in the south; (2) all lands 

between Routes 186 and 966 from the 

juncture of 186 and 966 on the north, to 

the Caribbean National Forest Boundary 

on the south; (3) all lands lying west of 

Route 186 for 1 kilometer from the 

juncture of Routes 186 and 956 south to 

Km 6 on Route 186; (4) all lands within 

Km 14 and Km 6 on the west and the 

Caribbean National Forest Boundary on 

the east; and (5) all lands within the 

Caribbean National Forest Boundary 

whether private or public. 

Cidra Municipality and adjacent 

areas: All of Cidra Municipality and 

portions of Aguas Buenas, Caguas, 

Cayey, and Comerio Municipalities as 

encompassed within the following 

boundary: Beginning on Highway 172 as 

it leaves the municipality of Cidra on 

the west edge, north to Highway 156, 

east on Highway 156 to Highway 1, 

south on Highway 1 to Highway 765, 

south on Highway 765 to Highway 763, 

south on Highway 763 to the Rio 

Guavate, west along Rio Guavate to 

Highway 1, southwest on Highway 1 to 

Highway 14, west on Highway 14 to 

Highway 729, north on Highway 729 to 

Cidra Municipality boundary to the 

point of the beginning. 


tkelley on DSKBCP9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS2
10656 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 33 / Monday, February 22, 2021 / Proposed Rule 

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 20 

Exports, Hunting, Imports, Reporting 

and recordkeeping requirements, 

Transportation, Wildlife. 

Shannon A. Estenoz, 

Senior Advisor to the Secretary, Exercising 

the Delegated Authority of the Assistant 

Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks. 

Proposed Regulation Promulgation 

Accordingly, we propose to amend 

part 20, subpart N of title 50 of the Code 

of Federal Regulations as follows: 

PART 20—MIGRATORY BIRD 

HUNTING 

■ 1. The authority citation for part 20 

continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 703–712 and 16 

U.S.C. 742a–j. 

■ 2. In § 20.153, revise paragraph (a) to 

read as follows: 

§ 20.153 Regulations committee. 

(a) Notice of meetings. Notice of each 

meeting of the Regulations Committee to 

be attended by any person outside the 

Department of the Interior will be 

published in the Federal Register or 

online on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service’s Migratory Bird Program 

website at least 2 weeks before the 

meeting. The notice will state the time, 

place, and general subject(s) of the 

meeting, as well as the extent of public 

involvement. 

* * * * * 

■ 3. In § 20.154, revise paragraph (a) to 

read as follows: 

§ 20.154 Flyway Councils. 

(a) Notice of meetings. Notice of each 

meeting of a Flyway Council to be 

attended by any official of the 

Department will be published in the 

Federal Register or online on the U.S. 

Fish and Wildlife Service’s Migratory 

Bird Program website at least 2 weeks 

before the meeting or as soon as 

practicable after the Department of the 

Interior learns of the meeting. The 

notice will state the time, place, and 

general subject(s) of the meeting. 

* * * * * 

[FR Doc. 2021–02964 Filed 2–19–21; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4333–15–P 


tkelley on DSKBCP9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS2