43008 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 163 / Tuesday, August 25, 2009 / Rules and Regulations 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

Fish and Wildlife Service 

50 CFR Part 20 

[FWS-R9-MB-2008-0124; 91200-1231-9BPPL2] 

RIN 1018-AW31 

Migratory Bird Hunting; Final 

Frameworks for Early-Season 

Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations 

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, 

Interior. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: This rule prescribes final 

early-season frameworks from which the 

States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin 

Islands may select season dates, limits, 

and other options for the 2009–10 

migratory bird hunting seasons. Early 

seasons are those that generally open 

prior to October 1, and include seasons 

in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the 

Virgin Islands. The effect of this final 

rule is to facilitate the selection of 

hunting seasons by the States and 

Territories to further the annual 

establishment of the early-season 

migratory bird hunting regulations. 

DATES: This rule is effective on August 

25, 2009. 

ADDRESSES: States and Territories 

should send their season selections to: 

Chief, Division of Migratory Bird 

Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service, ms MBSP-4107-ARLSQ, 1849 C 

Street, NW., Washington, DC 20240. 

You may inspect comments during 

normal business hours at the Service’s 

office in room 4107, 4501 N. Fairfax 

Drive, Arlington, Virginia, or at 

www.regulations.gov. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Robert Blohm, Chief, or Ron W. Kokel, 

Division of Migratory Bird Management, 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, (703) 

358-1714. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Regulations Schedule for 2009 

On April 10, 2009, we published in 

the Federal Register (74 FR 16339) a 

proposal to amend 50 CFR part 20. The 

proposal provided a background and 

overview of the migratory bird hunting 

regulations process, and dealt with 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. 

Major steps in the 2009–10 regulatory 

cycle relating to open public meetings 

and Federal Register notifications were 

also identified in the April 10 proposed 

rule. Further, we explained that all 

sections of subsequent documents 

outlining hunting frameworks and 

guidelines were organized under 

numbered headings. Subsequent 

documents will refer only to numbered 

items requiring attention. Therefore, it is 

important to note that we will omit 

those items requiring no attention, and 

remaining numbered items will be 

discontinuous and appear incomplete. 

On May 27, 2009, we published in the 

Federal Register (74 FR 25209) a second 

document providing supplemental 

proposals for early- and late-season 

migratory bird hunting regulations. The 

May 27 supplement also provided 

detailed information on the 2009–10 

regulatory schedule and announced the 

Service Migratory Bird Regulations 

Committee (SRC) and Flyway Council 

meetings. 

On June 24 and 25, 2009, we held 

open meetings with the Flyway Council 

Consultants at which the participants 

reviewed information on the current 

status of migratory shore and upland 

game birds and developed 

recommendations for the 2009–10 

regulations for these species plus 

regulations for migratory game birds in 

Alaska, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin 

Islands, special September waterfowl 

seasons in designated States, special sea 

duck seasons in the Atlantic Flyway, 

and extended falconry seasons. In 

addition, we reviewed and discussed 

preliminary information on the status of 

waterfowl as it relates to the 

development and selection of the 

regulatory packages for the 2009–10 

regular waterfowl seasons. On July 24, 

2009, we published in the Federal 

Register (74 FR 36870) a third document 

specifically dealing with the proposed 

frameworks for early-season regulations. 

We will publish the proposed 

frameworks for late-season regulations 

(primarily hunting seasons that start 

after October 1 and most waterfowl 

seasons not already established) in a late 

August Federal Register. 

This document is the fourth in a 

series of proposed, supplemental, and 

final rulemaking documents. It 

establishes final frameworks from which 

States may select season dates, shooting 

hours, and daily bag and possession 

limits for the 2009–10 season. These 

selections will be published in the 

Federal Register as amendments to 

§§20.101 through 20.107, and §20.109 

of title 50 CFR part 20. 

Review of Public Comments 

The preliminary proposed 

rulemaking, which appeared in the 

April 10 Federal Register, opened the 

public comment period for migratory 

game bird hunting regulations. We have 

considered all pertinent comments 

received. Comments are summarized 

below and numbered in the order used 

in the April 10 Federal Register. We 

have included only the numbered items 

pertaining to early-season issues for 

which we received comments. 

Consequently, the issues do not follow 

in successive numerical or alphabetical 

order. We received recommendations 

from all Flyway Councils. Some 

recommendations supported 

continuation of last year’s frameworks. 

Due to the comprehensive nature of the 

Councils’ annual review of the 

frameworks, we assume Council support 

for continuation of last year’s 

frameworks for items for which we 

received no recommendation. Council 

recommendations for changes are 

summarized below. 

General 

Written Comments: An individual 

commenter protested the entire 

migratory bird hunting regulations 

process, the killing of all migratory 

birds, and the Flyway Council process. 

Service Response: 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. 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 

believe that the hunting seasons 

provided herein are compatible with the 

current status of migratory bird 

populations and long-term population 

goals. Additionally, we are obligated to, 

and do, give serious consideration to all 

information received as public 

comment. While there are problems 

inherent with any type of representative 

management of public-trust resources, 

we believe that the Flyway-Council 

system of migratory bird management 

has been a longstanding example of 

State-Federal cooperative management 

since its establishment in 1952. 

However, as always, we continue to 

seek new ways to streamline and 

improve the process. 

1. Ducks 

Categories used to discuss issues 

related to duck harvest management are: 

(A) General Harvest Strategy; (B) 

Regulatory Alternatives, including 

specification of framework dates, season 

lengths, and bag limits; (C) Zones and 

Split Seasons; and (D) Special Seasons/ 

Species Management. The categories 


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correspond to previously published 

issues/discussions, and only those 

containing substantial recommendations 

are discussed below. 

D. Special Seasons/Species 

Management 

i. September Teal Seasons 

Council Recommendations: The 

Atlantic Flyway Council recommended 

that the number of hunting days during 

the special September teal season in the 

Atlantic Flyway be increased from 9 

consecutive days to 16 consecutive days 

whenever the blue-winged teal breeding 

population exceeds 4.7 million birds. 

Service Response: We concur with the 

Atlantic Flyway Council’s 

recommendation to increase the number 

of hunting days during the special 

September teal season from 9 

consecutive hunting days to 16 

consecutive hunting days in the Atlantic 

Flyway whenever the blue-winged teal 

breeding population estimate for the 

traditional survey area exceeds 4.7 

million birds. The Mississippi and 

Central Flyways have had operational 

16–day September teal seasons 

(whenever the blue-winged teal 

breeding population estimate for the 

traditional survey area exceeds 4.7 

million birds) since 1998. In the 

Atlantic Flyway, existing 9–day 

September teal seasons were first 

implemented experimentally in 1998 

and made operational in 2003. We 

estimate that the additional 7 hunting 

days will result in an increased harvest 

of about 7,700 blue-winged teal, or 

about a 10 percent increase in the 

Flyway’s overall blue-winged teal 

harvest of about 75,000 (average of 

75,290 since 1998). In 2007, bluewinged teal harvest in the Mississippi 

and Central Flyways was about 532,000 

in the special September season, and 

more than 973,000 overall. 

In providing the Atlantic Flyway this 

expanded opportunity for teal, we offer 

several notes to the Atlantic, Central, 

and Mississippi Flyway Councils 

regarding teal. First, although we agree 

with the analysis prepared and 

submitted by the Atlantic Flyway 

Council regarding the expected harvest 

of the expanded special September teal 

season in the Atlantic Flyway (minor 

impacts of less than a 1 percent increase 

in the overall U.S. blue-winged teal 

harvest and again only a 10 percent 

harvest increase for the Flyway), the 

Atlantic Flyway Council should prepare 

a report that evaluates pertinent teal 

population and harvest information 

after the 16–day season has been 

conducted for 3 years. The Atlantic 

Flyway’s initial analysis, however, is 

consistent with our belief and best 

available science that the expanded 

season would not have a significant 

impact on teal populations and thus the 

Service approves these changes. Second, 

we note that a new assessment of the 

cumulative effects of all teal harvest, 

including harvest during special 

September seasons, is warranted before 

any further modifications of special 

September teal seasons. Therefore, we 

will not agree to any further 

modifications of special September teal 

seasons or other special September duck 

seasons until a thorough assessment of 

the harvest potential has been 

completed for both blue-winged and 

green-winged teal, as well as an 

assessment of the impacts of current 

special September seasons on these two 

species. We request that the Atlantic, 

Mississippi, and Central Flyway 

Councils designate representatives who 

will assist Service staff with the 

technical aspects of these assessments. 

Our goal is to complete this important 

assessment work within 3 years. 

Finally, utilizing the criteria 

developed for the teal season harvest 

strategy, this year’s estimate of 7.4 

million blue-winged teal from the 

traditional survey area indicates that a 

16–day September teal season in the 

Atlantic, Central, and Mississippi 

Flyways is appropriate for 2009. 

4. Canada Geese 

B. Regular Seasons 

Council Recommendations: The 

Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations 

Committees of the Mississippi Flyway 

Council recommended that the 

framework opening date for all species 

of geese for the regular goose seasons in 

Michigan and Wisconsin be September 

16, 2009. 

Written Comments: The Wisconsin 

Department of Natural Resources 

expressed appreciation for the Service’s 

approval of a September 16, 2009, 

framework opening date for all species 

of geese for the regular goose seasons in 

Michigan and Wisconsin. 

Service Response: We concur. As we 

stated last year (73 FR 50678), we agree 

with the objective to increase harvest 

pressure on resident Canada geese in the 

Mississippi Flyway and will continue to 

consider the opening dates in both 

States as exceptions to the general 

Flyway opening date, to be reconsidered 

annually. 

9. Sandhill Cranes 

Council Recommendations: The 

Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyway 

Councils recommended expanding the 

area open to Mid-continent Population 

(MCP) sandhill crane hunting in 

Wyoming to include Johnson and 

Sheridan Counties. The Central and 

Pacific Flyway Councils recommended 

using the 2009 Rocky Mountain 

Population (RMP) sandhill crane harvest 

allocation of 1,939 birds as proposed in 

the allocation formula using the 3–year 

running average. 

The Pacific Flyway Council 

recommended extending the 

experimental, limited hunt for Lower 

Colorado River sandhill cranes in 

Arizona for an additional 3 years. The 

extension is necessary due to difficulties 

initiating the new hunt, which was 

approved by the Service in 2007. 

Service Response: We agree with the 

Councils’ recommendations on the RMP 

sandhill crane harvest allocation of 

1,939 birds for the 2009–10 season as 

outlined in the RMP sandhill crane 

management plan’s harvest allocation 

formula. Regarding the modification of 

the MCP sandhill crane hunt area in 

Wyoming to included portions of 

Johnson and Sheridan Counties, we 

agree. Both of these areas are within 

existing MCP hunt plans. 

In 2007, the Pacific Flyway Council 

recommended, and we approved, the 

establishment of a limited hunt for the 

Lower Colorado River Valley Population 

(LCRVP) of sandhill cranes in Arizona 

(72 FR 49622). However, the population 

inventory on which the LCRVP hunt 

plan is based was not completed that 

year. Thus, the Arizona Game and Fish 

Department chose to not conduct the 

hunt in 2007 and sought approval from 

the Service again last year to begin 

conducting the hunt. We again 

approved the limited hunt (73 FR 

50678). However, due to complications 

encountered with the proposed onset of 

this new season falling within ongoing 

efforts to open new hunting seasons on 

Federal wildlife refuges, the 

experimental limited hunt season was 

not opened last year. As such, the State 

of Arizona has requested that the next 

3 years (2009–12) be designated as the 

new experimental season and has 

designated an area under State control 

where the experimental hunt will be 

conducted. Given that the LCRVP 

survey results indicate an increase from 

1,900 birds in 1998 to 2,401 birds in 

2009, and that the 3–year average of 

2,981 LCRVP cranes is above the 

population objective of 2,500, we 

continue to support the establishment of 

the 3–year experimental framework for 

this hunt, conditional on successful 

monitoring being conducted as called 

for in the Flyway hunt plan for this 

population. 


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Our final environmental assessment 

(FEA) on this new hunt can be obtained 

by writing Robert Trost, Pacific Flyway 

Representative, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service, Division of Migratory Bird 

management, 911 NE 11th Avenue, 

Portland, OR 97232-4181, or it may be 

viewed online at http:// 

www.regulations.gov. 

16. Mourning Doves 

Council Recommendations: The 

Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway 

Councils recommended use of the 

‘‘moderate’’ season framework for States 

within the Eastern Management Unit 

population of mourning doves, resulting 

in a 70–day season and 15-bird daily 

bag limit. The daily bag limit could be 

composed of mourning doves and 

white-winged doves, singly or in 

combination. 

The Mississippi and Central Flyway 

Councils recommend the use of the 

standard (or ‘‘moderate’’) season 

package of a 15-bird daily bag limit and 

a 70–day season for the 2009-10 

mourning dove season in the States 

within the Central Management Unit. 

The daily bag limit could be composed 

of mourning doves and white-winged 

doves, singly or in combination. The 

Councils also recommended changing 

the opening date for dove hunting in the 

South Zone in Texas to the Friday 

nearest September 20, but not earlier 

than September 17. 

The Pacific Flyway Council 

recommended use of the ‘‘moderate’’ 

season framework for States in the 

Western Management Unit (WMU) 

population of mourning doves, which 

represents no change from last year’s 

frameworks. 

Written Comments: The Wisconsin 

Department of Natural Resources 

supported the Councils’ 

recommendation for a ‘‘moderate’’ 

season package for mourning doves for 

the 2009–10 season. 

Service Response: Last year, we 

accepted and endorsed the interim 

harvest strategies for the Central, 

Eastern, and Western Management Units 

(73 FR 50678). As we stated then, the 

interim mourning dove harvest 

strategies are a step towards 

implementing the Mourning Dove 

National Strategic Harvest Plan (Plan) 

that was approved by all four Flyway 

Councils in 2003. The Plan represents a 

new, more informed means of decisionmaking for dove harvest management 

besides relying solely on traditional 

roadside counts of mourning doves as 

indicators of population trend. 

However, recognizing that a more 

comprehensive, national approach 

would take time to develop, we 

requested the development of interim 

harvest strategies, by management unit, 

until the elements of the Plan can be 

fully implemented. In 2004, each 

management unit submitted its 

respective strategy, but the strategies 

used different datasets and different 

approaches or methods. After initial 

submittal and review in 2006, we 

requested that the strategies be revised, 

using similar, existing datasets among 

the management units along with 

similar decision-making criteria. In 

January 2008, we recommended that, 

following approval by the respective 

Flyway Councils in March, the 

strategies be submitted in 2008 for 

endorsement by the Service, with 

implementation for the 2009–10 hunting 

season. Thus, based on the new interim 

harvest strategies and current 

population status, we agree with the 

recommended selection of the 

‘‘moderate’’ season frameworks for 

doves in the Eastern, Central, and 

Western Management Units. 

Regarding the recommended change 

in the opening date for dove hunting in 

the South Zone in Texas, we agree. 

Allowing Texas to use a ‘‘floating’’ 

framework opening date for the South 

Zone is a relatively minor change that 

would allow Texas additional flexibility 

in establishing its season. 

17. White-winged and White-tipped 

Doves 

Council Recommendations: The 

Mississippi and Central Flyway 

Councils recommend modifying the 

boundary for the Special White-winged 

Dove Area (SWWDA) in Texas by 

removing portions of Jim Hogg and 

northern Starr Counties, and modifying 

the daily bag limit in the SWWDA in 

Texas to 15 doves per day in the 

aggregate to be consistent with 

mourning dove frameworks. 

Service Response: We agree with the 

Councils’ recommendation to remove 

portions of the SWWDA area in Texas. 

Removal of the areas with poorer quality 

white-winged dove habitat from the 

SWWDA hunt area will allow Texas to 

more appropriately manage the overall 

dove harvest. We also agree with the 

Councils’ recommendation to modify 

the daily bag limit in the SWWDA from 

12 to 15 birds per day. Increasing the 

overall aggregate daily bag limit on 

doves, while maintaining the existing 

internal bag limit restrictions on 

mourning and white-tipped doves, will 

provide hunters more consistent and 

easily understood dove hunting 

regulations. 

18. Alaska 

Council Recommendations: The 

Pacific Flyway Council recommended 

reducing the daily bag limits for brant 

in Alaska from 3 per day with 6 in 

possession to 2 per day with 4 in 

possession. The Council also 

subsequently recommended at the June 

SRC meeting several goose season 

modifications to address new survey 

information regarding estimates of 

dusky Canada geese. They 

recommended delaying the opening of 

goose hunting in the affected areas by 

one week, implementing an education 

and outreach program to notify hunters 

of the need for further harvest 

restrictions, initiation of a voluntary 

check station for dusky Canada geese in 

those areas, and implementation of 

actions identified in the Pacific Flyway 

Management Plan for dusky Canada 

geese in 2010. 

Service Response: This year, the 

annual population index of dusky 

Canada geese, based on the breeding 

pair survey on the Copper River Delta, 

is 6,709, a decrease from the previous 

year’s index of 9,152. The 3–year 

average index is 8,682. This decline 

triggers implementation of further 

measures of protection for this 

population as described under Action 

level 2 in the management plan. These 

results further increase our longstanding 

concern for this subspecies of Canada 

goose. We appreciate the fact that the 

Pacific Flyway had planned for this 

possible situation when the Flyway 

management plan for this population 

was revised in 2008, and we strongly 

support the development and use of 

these cooperatively developed 

management plans. Therefore, we will 

enact the harvest management program 

called for in the Flyway management 

plan at this population level. More 

specifically: 

(1) A mandatory State-issued permit 

is required to hunt Canada geese in 

Alaska GMU 6-C, and on Middleton, 

Hinchinbrook and Hawkins Islands in 

the Gulf of Alaska adjacent to GMU 6- 

C; 

(2) All geese harvested from these 

areas must be taken to a State-operated 

check station where the subspecies will 

be determined; 

(3) The season for all Canada geese 

will be closed if a total of 40 dusky 

Canada geese are harvested; and 

(4) The State of Alaska will conduct 

an effort to educate the hunting public 

about the conservation concerns 

surrounding the dusky Canada goose in 

the area of Cordova, Alaska. 

We recognize the fact that 

implementation of the permit hunt in a 


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relatively short time will prove 

challenging, but we strongly believe that 

the actions outlined in the management 

plan constitute the best course of action 

for harvest management of the dusky 

Canada goose. 

We recognize the work involved in 

crafting the amended recommendation 

from the Pacific Flyway Council on 

behalf of the State of Alaska. However, 

this recommendation consists of harvest 

management actions not addressed in 

the Flyway management plan, and their 

impact on dusky Canada goose harvest 

is unknown. Further, the Council’s 

amended proposal does not establish a 

limit on the number of dusky Canada 

geese that could be taken, nor would 

they provide any information regarding 

the harvest of dusky Canada geese in the 

Copper River Delta area. 

We concur with the Pacific Flyway 

Council’s recommendation to decrease 

the daily bag and possession limit for 

brant. 

20. Puerto Rico 

Council Recommendations: The 

Atlantic Flyway Council recommended 

that Puerto Rico be permitted to adopt 

a 20-bird bag limit for doves in the 

aggregate for the next three hunting 

seasons, 2009–2011. Legally hunted 

dove species in Puerto Rico are the 

Zenaida dove, the white-winged dove, 

and the mourning dove. They also 

recommended that the 20-bird aggregate 

bag limit should include no more than 

10 Zenaida doves and no more than 3 

mourning doves. 

Service Response: As we stated last 

year when we approved Puerto Rico’s 

proposal (73 FR 50678), we concur with 

the intent of the 3–year experimental 

season to increase harvest pressure on a 

rapidly growing population of whitewinged doves while decreasing hunting 

pressure on Zenaida and mourning 

doves. 

NEPA Consideration 

NEPA considerations are covered by 

the programmatic document ‘‘Final 

Supplemental Environmental Impact 

Statement: Issuance of Annual 

Regulations Permitting the Sport 

Hunting of Migratory Birds (FSES 88- 

14),’’ filed with the Environmental 

Protection Agency on June 9, 1988. We 

published a notice of availability in the 

Federal Register on June 16, 1988 (53 

FR 22582). We published our record of 

decision on August 18, 1988 (53 FR 

31341). In addition, an August 1985 

environmental assessment entitled 

‘‘Guidelines for Migratory Bird Hunting 

Regulations on Federal Indian 

Reservations and Ceded Lands’’ is 

available by writing to the address 

indicated under the caption ADDRESSES. 

In a notice published in the 

September 8, 2005, Federal Register (70 

FR 53376), we announced our intent to 

develop a new Supplemental 

Environmental Impact Statement for the 

migratory bird hunting program. Public 

scoping meetings were held in the 

spring of 2006, as detailed in a March 

9, 2006, Federal Register (71 FR 12216). 

We have prepared a scoping report 

summarizing the scoping comments and 

scoping meetings. The report is 

available by either writing to the 

address indicated under ADDRESSES or 

by viewing on our website at http:// 

www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/. 

Endangered Species Act Consideration 

Section 7 of the Endangered Species 

Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531–1543; 

87 Stat. 884), provides that, ‘‘The 

Secretary shall review other programs 

administered by him and utilize such 

programs in furtherance of the purposes 

of this Act’’ (and) shall ‘‘insure that any 

action authorized, funded, or carried out 

* * * is not likely to jeopardize the 

continued existence of any endangered 

species or threatened species or result in 

the destruction or adverse modification 

of [critical] habitat. * * *.’’ 

Consequently, we conducted formal 

consultations to ensure that actions 

resulting from these regulations would 

not likely jeopardize the continued 

existence of endangered or threatened 

species or result in the destruction or 

adverse modification of their critical 

habitat. Findings from these 

consultations are included in a 

biological opinion, which concluded 

that the regulations are not likely to 

jeopardize the continued existence of 

any endangered or threatened species. 

Additionally, these findings may have 

caused modification of some regulatory 

measures previously proposed, and the 

final frameworks reflect any such 

modifications. Our biological opinions 

resulting from this section 7 

consultation are public documents 

available for public inspection at the 

address indicated under ADDRESSES. 

Executive Order 12866 

The Office of Management and Budget 

has determined that this rule is 

significant and has reviewed this rule 

under Executive Order 12866. OMB 

bases its determination of regulatory 

significance upon the following four 

criteria: 

(a) Whether the rule will have an 

annual effect of $100 million or more on 

the economy or adversely affect an 

economic sector, productivity, jobs, the 

environment, or other units of the 

government. 

(b) Whether the rule will create 

inconsistencies with other Federal 

agencies’ actions. 

(c) Whether the rule will materially 

affect entitlements, grants, user fees, 

loan programs, or the rights and 

obligations of their recipients. 

(d) Whether the rule raises novel legal 

or policy issues. 

An Economic Analysis was prepared 

for the 2008-2009 season. This analysis 

was based on data from the 2006 

National Hunting and Fishing Survey, 

the most recent year for which data are 

available (see discussion in Regulatory 

Flexibility Act section below). This 

analysis estimates consumer surplus for 

three alternatives for duck hunting 

(estimates for other species are not 

quantified due to lack of data). The 

alternatives are 1) Issue restrictive 

regulations allowing fewer days than 

those issued during the 2007-2008 

season, 2) Issues moderate regulations 

allowing more days than those in 

alternative 1, and 3) Issue liberal 

regulations identical to the regulations 

in the 2007-2008 season. For the 2008- 

2009 season, we chose alternative 3, 

with an estimated consumer surplus 

across all flyways of $205-$270 million. 

For the upcoming 2009-2010 season, we 

again considered these three alternatives 

and again chose alternative 3 for ducks. 

We made minor modifications to the 

season frameworks for some other 

species, but these do not significantly 

change the economic impacts of the 

rule, which were not quantified for 

other species. For these reasons, we 

have not conducted a new Economic 

Analysis, but the 2008-2009 analysis is 

part of the record for this rule and is 

available at http://www.fws.gov/ 

migratorybirds/ 

NewReportsPublications/SpecialTopics/ 

SpecialTopics.html#HuntingRegs or at 

http://www.regulations.gov. 

Regulatory Flexibility Act 

The regulations have a significant 

economic impact on substantial 

numbers of small entities under the 

Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 

et seq.). We analyzed the economic 

impacts of the annual hunting 

regulations on small business entities in 

detail as part of the 1981 cost-benefit 

analysis. This analysis was revised 

annually from 1990–95. In 1995, the 

Service issued a Small Entity Flexibility 

Analysis (Analysis), which was 

subsequently updated in 1996, 1998, 

2004, and 2008. The primary source of 

information about hunter expenditures 

for migratory game bird hunting is the 

National Hunting and Fishing Survey, 


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which is conducted at 5–year intervals. 

The 2008 Analysis was based on the 

2006 National Hunting and Fishing 

Survey and the U.S. Department of 

Commerce’s County Business Patterns, 

from which it was estimated that 

migratory bird hunters would spend 

approximately $1.2 billion at small 

businesses in 2008. Copies of the 

Analysis are available upon request 

from the address indicated under 

ADDRESSES or from our website at http:// 

www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/ 

NewReportsPublications/SpecialTopics/ 

SpecialTopics.html#HuntingRegs or at 

http://www.regulations.gov. 

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement 

Fairness Act 

This rule is a major rule under 5 

U.S.C. 804(2), the Small Business 

Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act. 

For the reasons outlined above, this rule 

has an annual effect on the economy of 

$100 million or more. 

Paperwork Reduction Act 

We examined these regulations under 

the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 

(44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). The various 

recordkeeping and reporting 

requirements imposed under regulations 

established in 50 CFR part 20, subpart 

K, are utilized in the formulation of 

migratory game bird hunting 

regulations. Specifically, OMB has 

approved the information collection 

requirements of our Migratory Bird 

Surveys and assigned control number 

1018–0023 (expires 2/28/2011). This 

information is used to provide a 

sampling frame for voluntary national 

surveys to improve our harvest 

estimates for all migratory game birds in 

order to better manage these 

populations. OMB has also approved 

the information collection requirements 

of the Alaska Subsistence Household 

Survey, an associated voluntary annual 

household survey used to determine 

levels of subsistence take in Alaska, and 

assigned control number 1018–0124 

(expires 1/31/2010). A Federal agency 

may not conduct or sponsor and a 

person is not required to respond to a 

collection of information unless it 

displays a currently valid OMB control 

number. 

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act 

We have determined and certify, in 

compliance with the requirements of the 

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act, 2 

U.S.C. 1502 et seq., that this rulemaking 

will not impose a cost of $100 million 

or more in any given year on local or 

State government or private entities. 

Therefore, this rule is not a ‘‘significant 

regulatory action’’ under the Unfunded 

Mandates Reform Act. 

Civil Justice Reform—Executive Order 

12988 

The Department, in promulgating this 

rule, has determined that this rule will 

not unduly burden the judicial system 

and that it meets the requirements of 

sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive 

Order 12988. 

Takings Implication Assessment 

In accordance with Executive Order 

12630, this rule, authorized by the 

Migratory Bird Treaty Act, does not 

have significant takings implications 

and does not affect any constitutionally 

protected property rights. This rule will 

not result in the physical occupancy of 

property, the physical invasion of 

property, or the regulatory taking of any 

property. In fact, these rules allow 

hunters to exercise otherwise 

unavailable privileges and, therefore, 

reduce restrictions on the use of private 

and public property. 

Energy Effects—Executive Order 13211 

Executive Order 13211 requires 

agencies to prepare Statements of 

Energy Effects when undertaking certain 

actions. While this rule is a significant 

regulatory action under Executive Order 

12866, it is not expected to adversely 

affect energy supplies, distribution, or 

use. Therefore, this action is not a 

significant energy action and no 

Statement of Energy Effects is required. 

Government-to-Government 

Relationship with Tribes 

In accordance with the President’s 

memorandum of April 29, 1994, 

‘‘Government-to-Government Relations 

with Native American Tribal 

Governments’’ (59 FR 22951), Executive 

Order 13175, and 512 DM 2, we have 

evaluated possible effects on Federallyrecognized Indian tribes and have 

determined that there are no effects on 

Indian trust resources. However, in the 

April 10 Federal Register, we solicited 

proposals for special migratory bird 

hunting regulations for certain Tribes on 

Federal Indian reservations, offreservation trust lands, and ceded lands 

for the 2009–10 migratory bird hunting 

season. The resulting proposals were 

contained in a separate proposed rule 

(74 FR 36870). By virtue of these 

actions, we have consulted with Tribes 

affected by this rule. 

Federalism Effects 

Due to the migratory nature of certain 

species of birds, the Federal 

Government has been given 

responsibility over these species by the 

Migratory Bird Treaty Act. We annually 

prescribe frameworks from which the 

States make selections regarding the 

hunting of migratory birds, and we 

employ guidelines to establish special 

regulations on Federal Indian 

reservations and ceded lands. This 

process preserves the ability of the 

States and Tribes to determine which 

seasons meet their individual needs. 

Any State or Indian Tribe may be more 

restrictive than the Federal frameworks 

at any time. The frameworks are 

developed in a cooperative process with 

the States and the Flyway Councils. 

This process allows States to participate 

in the development of frameworks from 

which they will make selections, 

thereby having an influence on their 

own regulations. These rules do not 

have a substantial direct effect on fiscal 

capacity, change the roles or 

responsibilities of Federal or State 

governments, or intrude on State policy 

or administration. Therefore, in 

accordance with Executive Order 13132, 

these regulations do not have significant 

federalism effects and do not have 

sufficient federalism implications to 

warrant the preparation of a Federalism 

Assessment. 

Regulations Promulgation 

The rulemaking process for migratory 

game bird hunting must, by its nature, 

operate under severe time constraints. 

However, we intend that the public be 

given the greatest possible opportunity 

to comment. Thus, when the 

preliminary proposed rulemaking was 

published, we established what we 

believed were the longest periods 

possible for public comment. In doing 

this, we recognized that when the 

comment period closed, time would be 

of the essence. That is, if there were a 

delay in the effective date of these 

regulations after this final rulemaking, 

States would have insufficient time to 

select season dates and limits; to 

communicate those selections to us; and 

to establish and publicize the necessary 

regulations and procedures to 

implement their decisions. We therefore 

find that ‘‘good cause’’ exists, within the 

terms of 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) of the 

Administrative Procedure Act, and 

these frameworks will, therefore, take 

effect immediately upon publication. 

Therefore, under authority of the 

Migratory Bird Treaty Act (July 3, 1918), 

as amended (16 U.S.C. 703–711), we 

prescribe final frameworks setting forth 

the species to be hunted, the daily bag 

and possession limits, the shooting 

hours, the season lengths, the earliest 

opening and latest closing season dates, 

and hunting areas, from which State 

conservation agency officials will select 


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hunting season dates and other options. 

Upon receipt of season selections from 

these officials, we will publish a final 

rulemaking amending 50 CFR part 20 to 

reflect seasons, limits, and shooting 

hours for the conterminous United 

States for the 2009–10 season. 

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 20 

Exports, Hunting, Imports, Reporting 

and recordkeeping requirements, 

Transportation, Wildlife. 

The rules that eventually will be 

promulgated for the 2009–10 hunting 

season are authorized under 16 U.S.C. 

703-712 and 16 U.S.C. 742 a-j. 

Dated: August 5, 2009 

Jane Lyder 

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish and 

Wildlife and Parks. 

Final Regulations Frameworks for 

2009–10 Early Hunting Seasons on 

Certain Migratory Game Birds 

Pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty 

Act and delegated authorities, the 

Department of the Interior approved the 

following frameworks, which prescribe 

season lengths, bag limits, shooting 

hours, and outside dates within which 

States may select hunting seasons for 

certain migratory game birds between 

September 1, 2009, and March 10, 2010. 

General 

Dates: All outside dates noted below 

are inclusive. 

Shooting and Hawking (taking by 

falconry) Hours: Unless otherwise 

specified, from one-half hour before 

sunrise to sunset daily. 

Possession Limits: Unless otherwise 

specified, possession limits are twice 

the daily bag limit. 

Flyways and Management Units 

Waterfowl Flyways 

Atlantic Flyway — includes 

Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, 

Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New 

Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, 

North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode 

Island, South Carolina, Vermont, 

Virginia, and West Virginia. 

Mississippi Flyway — includes 

Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, 

Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, 

Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, 

Tennessee, and Wisconsin. 

Central Flyway — includes Colorado 

(east of the Continental Divide), Kansas, 

Montana (Counties of Blaine, Carbon, 

Fergus, Judith Basin, Stillwater, 

Sweetgrass, Wheatland, and all counties 

east thereof), Nebraska, New Mexico 

(east of the Continental Divide except 

the Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation), 

North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, 

Texas, and Wyoming (east of the 

Continental Divide). 

Pacific Flyway — includes Alaska, 

Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, 

Oregon, Utah, Washington, and those 

portions of Colorado, Montana, New 

Mexico, and Wyoming not included in 

the Central Flyway. 

Management Units 

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. 

Other geographic descriptions are 

contained in a later portion of this 

document. 

Definitions 

Dark geese: Canada geese, whitefronted 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. 

Waterfowl Seasons in the Atlantic 

Flyway 

In the Atlantic Flyway States of 

Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, 

Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, 

North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and 

Virginia, where Sunday hunting is 

prohibited Statewide by State law, all 

Sundays are closed to all take of 

migratory waterfowl (including 

mergansers and coots). 

Special September Teal Season 

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, Kentucky, 

Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, 

and Tennessee. 

Central Flyway — Colorado (part), 

Kansas, Nebraska (part), New Mexico 

(part), Oklahoma, and Texas. 

Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag 

Limits: Not to exceed 16 consecutive 

hunting days in the Atlantic, 

Mississippi and Central Flyways. The 

daily bag limit is 4 teal. 

Shooting Hours: 

Atlantic Flyway — One-half hour 

before sunrise to sunset, except in 

Maryland, where the hours are from 

sunrise to sunset. 

Mississippi and Central Flyways — 

One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, 

except in the States of Arkansas, 

Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and Ohio, 

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 season may be 

selected in September. The daily bag 

limit may not exceed 4 teal and wood 

ducks in the aggregate, of which no 

more than 2 may be wood ducks. 

Iowa: Iowa may hold up to 5 days of 

its regular duck hunting season in 

September. All ducks that are legal 

during the regular duck season may be 

taken during the September segment of 

the season. The September season 

segment may commence no earlier than 

the Saturday nearest September 20 

(September 19). The daily bag and 

possession limits will be the same as 

those in effect last year but are subject 

to change during the late-season 

regulations process. The remainder of 

the regular duck season may not begin 

before October 10. 

Special Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days 

Outside Dates: States may select 2 

consecutive days (hunting days in 

Atlantic Flyway States with 

compensatory days) per duck-hunting 

zone, designated as ‘‘Youth Waterfowl 

Hunting Days,’’ in addition to their 

regular duck seasons. The days must be 

held outside any regular duck season on 

a weekend, holidays, or other nonschool days when youth hunters would 

have the maximum opportunity to 

participate. The days may be held up to 

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


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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, mergansers, 

coots, moorhens, and gallinules and 

would be the same as those allowed in 

the regular season. Flyway species and 

area restrictions would remain in effect. 

Shooting Hours: One-half hour before 

sunrise to sunset. 

Participation Restrictions: Youth 

hunters must be 15 years of age or 

younger. In addition, an adult at least 18 

years of age must accompany the youth 

hunter into the field. This adult may not 

duck hunt but may participate in other 

seasons that are open on the special 

youth day. 

Scoter, Eider, and Long-tailed Ducks 

(Atlantic Flyway) 

Outside Dates: Between September 15 

and January 31. 

Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag 

Limits: Not to exceed 107 days, with a 

daily bag limit of 7, singly or in the 

aggregate, of the listed sea-duck species, 

of which no more than 4 may be scoters. 

Daily Bag Limits During the Regular 

Duck Season: Within the special sea 

duck areas, during the regular duck 

season in the Atlantic Flyway, States 

may choose to allow the above sea duck 

limits in addition to the limits applying 

to other ducks during the regular duck 

season. In all other areas, sea ducks may 

be taken only during the regular open 

season for ducks and are part of the 

regular duck season daily bag (not to 

exceed 4 scoters) and possession limits. 

Areas: In all coastal waters and all 

waters of rivers and streams seaward 

from the first upstream bridge in Maine, 

New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode 

Island, Connecticut, and New York; in 

any waters of the Atlantic Ocean and in 

any tidal waters of any bay which are 

separated by at least 1 mile of open 

water from any shore, island, and 

emergent vegetation in New Jersey, 

South Carolina, and Georgia; and in any 

waters of the Atlantic Ocean and in any 

tidal waters of any bay which 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. 

Special Early Canada Goose Seasons 

Atlantic Flyway 

General Seasons 

Canada goose seasons of up to 15 days 

during September 1–15 may be selected 

for the Eastern Unit of Maryland and 

Delaware. Seasons not to exceed 25 days 

during September 1–25 may be selected 

for the Montezuma Region of New York 

and the Lake Champlain Region of New 

York and Vermont. Seasons not to 

exceed 30 days during September 1–30 

may be selected for Connecticut, 

Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, New York 

(Long Island Zone), 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 geese must be described, 

delineated, and designated as such in 

each State’s hunting regulations. 

Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 15 

Canada geese. 

Experimental Seasons 

Canada goose seasons of up to 10 days 

during September 16–25 may be 

selected in Delaware. The daily bag 

limit may not exceed 15 Canada geese. 

Areas open to the hunting of Canada 

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 any 

general season, shooting hours may 

extend to one-half hour after sunset if 

all other waterfowl seasons are closed in 

the specific applicable area. 

Mississippi Flyway 

General Seasons 

Canada goose seasons of up to 15 days 

during September 1–15 may be selected, 

except in the Upper Peninsula in 

Michigan, where the season may not 

extend beyond September 10, and in 

Minnesota (except in the Northwest 

Goose Zone), where a season of up to 22 

days during September 1–22 may be 

selected. The daily bag limit may not 

exceed 5 Canada geese. Areas open to 

the hunting of Canada geese must be 

described, delineated, and designated as 

such in each State’s hunting regulations. 

A Canada goose season of up to 10 

consecutive days during September 1– 

10 may be selected by Michigan for 

Huron, Saginaw, and Tuscola Counties, 

except that the Shiawassee National 

Wildlife Refuge, Shiawassee River State 

Game Area Refuge, and the Fish Point 

Wildlife Area Refuge will remain 

closed. The daily bag limit may not 

exceed 5 Canada geese. 

Experimental Seasons 

Canada goose seasons of up to 7 days 

during September 16–22 may be 

selected in the Northwest Goose Zone in 

Minnesota. The daily bag limit may not 

exceed 5 Canada geese. Areas open to 

the hunting of Canada 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 seasons are closed in 

the specific applicable area. 

Central Flyway 

General Seasons 

In Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, 

South Dakota, and Texas, Canada goose 

seasons of up to 30 days during 

September 1–30 may be selected. In 

Colorado, New Mexico, North Dakota, 

Montana, and Wyoming, Canada goose 

seasons of up to 15 days during 

September 1–15 may be selected. The 

daily bag limit may not exceed 5 Canada 

geese. Areas open to the hunting of 

Canada 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 seasons are closed in 

the specific applicable area. 

Pacific Flyway 

General Seasons 

California may select a 9–day season 

in Humboldt County during the period 

September 1–15. The daily bag limit is 

2. 

Colorado may select a 9–day season 

during the period of September 1–15. 

The daily bag limit is 3. 

Oregon may select a special Canada 

goose season of up to 15 days during the 

period September 1–15. In addition, in 

the NW Goose Management Zone in 

Oregon, a 15–day season may be 

selected during the period September 1– 

20. Daily bag limits may not exceed 5 

Canada geese. 

Idaho may select a 7–day season 

during the period September 1–15. The 

daily bag limit is 2 and the possession 

limit is 4. 

Washington may select a special 

Canada goose season of up to 15 days 

during the period September 1–15. 

Daily bag limits may not exceed 5 

Canada geese. 

Wyoming may select an 8–day season 

on Canada geese between September 1– 

15. This season is subject to the 

following conditions: 

1. Where applicable, the season must 

be concurrent with the September 

portion of the sandhill crane season. 

2. A daily bag limit of 2, with season 

and possession limits of 4, will apply to 

the special season. 


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Areas open to hunting of Canada 

geese in each State must be described, 

delineated, and designated as such in 

each State’s hunting regulations. 

Regular Goose Seasons 

Regular goose seasons may open as 

early as September 16 in Wisconsin and 

Michigan. Season lengths, bag and 

possession limits, and other provisions 

will be established during the lateseason regulations process. 

Sandhill Cranes 

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 designated portions of North 

Dakota (Area 2) and Texas (Area 2). 

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 (Area 2). 

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) 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 30 days. 

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: 

1. In Utah, 100 percent of the harvest 

will be assigned to the RMP quota; 

2. In Arizona, monitoring the racial 

composition of the harvest must be 

conducted at 3–year intervals; 

3. In Idaho, 100 percent of the harvest 

will be assigned to the RMP quota; and 

4. In New Mexico, the season in the 

Estancia Valley is experimental, with a 

requirement to monitor the level and 

racial composition of the harvest; 

greater sandhill cranes in the harvest 

will be assigned to the RMP quota. 

Special Seasons in the Pacific Flyway 

Arizona may select a season for 

hunting sandhill cranes within the 

range of the Lower Colorado River 

Population (LCR) of sandhill cranes, 

subject to the following conditions: 

Outside Dates: Between January 1 and 

January 31. 

Hunting Seasons: The season may not 

exceed 3 days. 

Bag limits: Not to exceed 1 daily and 

1 per season. 

Permits: Participants must have a 

valid permit, issued by the appropriate 

State, in their possession while hunting. 

Other provisions: The season is 

experimental. 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 

Pacific Flyway Council. 

Common Moorhens and Purple 

Gallinules 

Outside Dates: Between September 1 

and the last Sunday in January (January 

31) in the Atlantic, Mississippi and 

Central Flyways. States in the Pacific 

Flyway have been allowed to select 

their hunting seasons between the 

outside dates for the season on ducks; 

therefore, they are late-season 

frameworks, and no frameworks are 

provided in this document. 

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 

common moorhens and purple 

gallinules, singly or in the aggregate of 

the two species. 

Zoning: Seasons may be selected by 

zones established for duck hunting. 

Rails 

Outside Dates: States included herein 

may select seasons between September 

1 and the last Sunday in January 

(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 Rhode 

Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, 

Delaware, and Maryland, 10, singly or 

in the aggregate of the 2 species. In 

Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, 

Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North 

Carolina, and Virginia, 15, singly or in 

the aggregate of the two species. 

Sora and Virginia Rails — In the 

Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central 

Flyways and the Pacific-Flyway 

portions of Colorado, Montana, New 

Mexico, and Wyoming, 25 daily and 25 

in possession, singly or in the aggregate 

of the two species. The season is closed 

in the remainder of the Pacific Flyway. 

Common Snipe 

Outside Dates: Between September 1 

and February 28, except in Maine, 

Vermont, New Hampshire, 

Massachusetts, Rhode Island, 

Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, 

Delaware, Maryland, 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 two 

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 

Management Region may select hunting 

seasons between October 1 and January 

31. States in the Central Management 

Region may select hunting seasons 

between the Saturday nearest September 

22 (September 19) and January 31. 

Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag 

Limits: Seasons may not exceed 30 days 

in the Eastern Region and 45 days in the 

Central Region. The daily bag limit is 3. 

Seasons may be split into two segments. 

Zoning: New Jersey may select 

seasons in each of two zones. The 

season in each zone may not exceed 24 

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 bandtailed pigeons. 

Zoning: California may select hunting 

seasons not to exceed 9 consecutive 

days in each of two 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 30 consecutive 


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days, with a daily bag limit of 5 bandtailed pigeons. 

Zoning: New Mexico may select 

hunting seasons not to exceed 20 

consecutive days in each of two zones. 

The season in the South Zone may not 

open until October 1. 

Mourning Doves 

Outside Dates: Between September 1 

and January 15, except as otherwise 

provided, States may select hunting 

seasons and daily bag limits as follows: 

Eastern Management Unit 

Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag 

Limits: Not more than 70 days, with a 

daily bag limit of 15 mourning and 

white-winged doves in the aggregate. 

Zoning and Split Seasons: States may 

select hunting seasons in each of two 

zones. The season within each zone may 

be split into not more than three 

periods. Regulations for bag and 

possession limits, season length, and 

shooting hours must be uniform within 

specific hunting zones. 

Central Management Unit 

Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag 

Limits: Not more than 70 days, with a 

daily bag limit of 15 mourning and 

white-winged doves in the aggregate. 

Zoning and Split Seasons 

States may select hunting seasons in 

each of two zones. The season within 

each zone may be split into not more 

than three periods. 

Texas may select hunting seasons for 

each of three zones subject to the 

following conditions: 

A. The hunting season may be split 

into not more than two periods, except 

in that portion of Texas in which the 

special white-winged dove season is 

allowed, where a limited mourning 

dove season may be held concurrently 

with that special season (see whitewinged dove frameworks). 

B. A season may be selected for the 

North and Central Zones between 

September 1 and January 25; and for the 

South Zone between the Friday nearest 

September 20 (September 18), but not 

earlier than September 17, and January 

25. 

C. Daily bag limits are aggregate bag 

limits with mourning, white-winged, 

and white-tipped doves (see whitewinged dove frameworks for specific 

daily bag limit restrictions). 

D. Except as noted above, regulations 

for bag and possession limits, season 

length, and shooting hours must be 

uniform within each hunting zone. 

Western Management Unit 

Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits 

Idaho, Oregon, and Washington — 

Not more than 30 consecutive days, 

with a daily bag limit of 10 mourning 

doves. 

Utah — Not more than 30 consecutive 

days, with a daily bag limit that may not 

exceed 10 mourning doves and whitewinged doves in the aggregate. 

Nevada — Not more than 30 

consecutive days, with a daily bag limit 

of 10 mourning doves, except in Clark 

and Nye Counties, where the daily bag 

limit may not exceed 10 mourning and 

white-winged doves in the aggregate. 

Arizona and California — Not more 

than 60 days, which may be split 

between two periods, September 1–15 

and November 1–January 15. In 

Arizona, during the first segment of the 

season, the daily bag limit is 10 

mourning and white-winged doves in 

the aggregate, of which no more than 6 

may be white-winged doves. During the 

remainder of the season, the daily bag 

limit is 10 mourning doves. In 

California, the daily bag limit is 10 

mourning doves, except in Imperial, 

Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties, 

where the daily bag limit may not 

exceed 10 mourning and white-winged 

doves in the aggregate. 

White-winged and White-tipped Doves 

Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: 

Except as shown below, seasons must 

be concurrent with mourning dove 

seasons. 

Eastern Management Unit: The daily 

bag limit may not exceed 15 mourning 

and white-winged doves in the 

aggregate. 

Central Management Unit 

In Texas, the daily bag limit may not 

exceed 15 mourning, white-winged, and 

white-tipped doves in the aggregate, of 

which no more than 2 may be whitetipped doves. In addition, Texas also 

may select a hunting season of not more 

than 4 days for the special white-winged 

dove area of the South Zone between 

September 1 and September 19. The 

daily bag limit may not exceed 15 

white-winged, mourning, and whitetipped doves in the aggregate, of which 

no more than 4 may be mourning doves 

and 2 may be white-tipped doves. 

In the remainder of the Central 

Management Unit, the daily bag limit 

may not exceed 15 mourning and whitewinged doves in the aggregate. 

Western Management Unit 

Arizona may select a hunting season 

of not more than 30 consecutive days, 

running concurrently with the first 

segment of the mourning dove season. 

The daily bag limit may not exceed 10 

mourning and white-winged doves in 

the aggregate, of which no more than 6 

may be white-winged doves. 

In Utah, the Nevada Counties of Clark 

and Nye, and in the California Counties 

of Imperial, Riverside, and San 

Bernardino, the daily bag limit may not 

exceed 10 mourning and white-winged 

doves in the aggregate. 

In the remainder of the Western 

Management Unit, the season is closed. 

Alaska 

Outside Dates: Between September 1 

and January 26. 

Hunting Seasons: Alaska may select 

107 consecutive days for waterfowl, 

sandhill cranes, and common snipe in 

each of 5 zones. The season may be split 

without penalty in the Kodiak Zone. 

The seasons in each zone must be 

concurrent. 

Closures: The hunting season is 

closed on emperor geese, spectacled 

eiders, and Steller’s eiders. 

Daily Bag and Possession Limits 

Ducks — Except as noted, a basic 

daily bag limit of 7 and a possession 

limit of 21 ducks. Daily bag and 

possession limits in the North Zone are 

10 and 30, and in the Gulf Coast Zone, 

they are 8 and 24. The basic limits may 

include no more than 1 canvasback 

daily and 3 in possession and may not 

include sea ducks. 

In addition to the basic duck limits, 

Alaska may select sea duck limits of 10 

daily, 20 in possession, singly or 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 

and red-breasted mergansers. 

Light Geese — A basic daily bag limit 

of 4 and a possession limit of 8. 

Dark Geese — A basic daily bag limit 

of 4 and a possession limit of 8. 

Dark-goose seasons are subject to the 

following exceptions: 

1. In Units 5 and 6, the taking of 

Canada geese is permitted from 

September 28 through December 16. 

2. On Middleton Island in Unit 6, a 

special, permit-only Canada goose 

season may be offered. A mandatory 

goose identification class is required. 

Hunters must check in and check out. 

The bag limit is 1 daily and 1 in 

possession. The season will close if 

incidental harvest includes 5 dusky 

Canada geese. A dusky Canada goose is 

any dark-breasted Canada goose 

(Munsell 10 YR color value five or less) 

with a bill length between 40 and 50 

millimeters. 


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3. In Units 6-B, 6-C and on 

Hinchinbrook and Hawkins Islands in 

Unit 6-D, a special, permit-only Canada 

goose season may be offered. Hunters 

must have all harvested geese checked 

and classified to subspecies. The daily 

bag limit is 4 daily and 8 in possession. 

The Canada goose season will close in 

all of the permit areas if the total dusky 

goose (as defined above) harvest reaches 

40. 

4. In Units 9, 10, 17, and 18, dark 

goose limits are 6 per day, 12 in 

possession; however, no more than 2 

may be Canada geese in Units 9(E) and 

18; and no more than 4 may be Canada 

geese in Units 9(A-C), 10 (Unimak 

Island portion), and 17. 

Brant — A daily bag limit of 2 and a 

possession limit of 4. 

Common snipe — A daily bag limit of 

8. 

Sandhill cranes — Bag and possession 

limits of 2 and 4, respectively, in the 

Southeast, Gulf Coast, Kodiak, and 

Aleutian Zones, and Unit 17 in the 

Northern Zone. In the remainder of the 

Northern Zone (outside Unit 17), bag 

and possession limits of 3 and 6, 

respectively. 

Tundra Swans — Open seasons for 

tundra swans may be selected subject to 

the following conditions: 

1. All seasons are by registration 

permit only. 

2. All season framework dates are 

September 1 – October 31. 

3. In Game Management Unit (GMU) 

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. 

4. In Game Management Unit (GMU) 

18, no more than 500 permits may be 

issued during the operational season. 

Up to 3 tundra swans may be authorized 

per permit. No more than 1 permit may 

be issued per hunter per season. 

5. In GMU 22, no more than 300 

permits may be issued during the 

operational season. Each permittee may 

be authorized to take up to 3 tundra 

swans per permit. No more than 1 

permit may be issued per hunter per 

season. 

6. In GMU 23, no more than 300 

permits may be issued during the 

operational season. No more than 3 

tundra swans may be authorized per 

permit, with no more than 1 permit 

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 20 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, Moorhens, 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 moorhens, and common snipe. 

The season may be split into two 

segments. 

Daily Bag Limits: 

Ducks — Not to exceed 6. 

Common moorhens — Not to exceed 

6. 

Common snipe — Not to exceed 8. 

Closed Seasons: The season is closed 

on the 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 also is closed on the purple 

gallinule, American coot, and Caribbean 

coot. 

Closed Areas: There is no open season 

on ducks, common moorhens, and 

common 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 

days for Zenaida doves. 

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 in the Virgin Islands. 

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. 

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 

Falconry is a permitted means of 

taking migratory game birds in any State 

meeting Federal falconry standards in 

50 CFR 21.29. These 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 divided into a maximum of 3 

segments. 

Framework Dates: Seasons must fall 

between September 1 and March 10. 

Daily Bag and Possession Limits: 

Falconry daily bag and possession limits 

for all permitted migratory game birds 

must not exceed 3 and 6 birds, 

respectively, singly or 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 in each 

State listed in 50 CFR 21.29. Regularseason bag and possession limits do not 

apply to falconry. The falconry bag limit 

is not in addition to gun limits. 


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Area, Unit, and Zone Descriptions 

Mourning and White-winged Doves 

Alabama 

South Zone — Baldwin, Barbour, 

Coffee, Covington, Dale, Escambia, 

Geneva, Henry, Houston, and Mobile 

Counties. 

North Zone — Remainder of the State. 

California 

White-winged Dove Open Areas — 

Imperial, Riverside, and San Bernardino 

Counties. 

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 — Remainder of 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. 

190 to Interstate Highway 12, east along 

Interstate 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. 

Nevada 

White-winged Dove Open Areas — 

Clark and Nye Counties. 

Oklahoma 

North Zone – That portion of the State 

north of a line extending east from the 

Texas border along U.S. Highway 62 to 

Interstate 44, east along Oklahoma State 

Highway 7 to U.S. Highway 81, then 

south along U.S. Highway 81 to the 

Texas border at the Red River. 

Southwest Zone – The remainder of 

Oklahoma. 

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 I30 to the Texas–Arkansas State line. 

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 Interstate Highway 10 east of San 

Antonio; then east on I-10 to Orange, 

Texas. 

Special White-winged Dove Area in 

the 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, 

southeast on State Loop 1604 to 

Interstate Highway 35, southwest on 

Interstate Highway 35 to TX 44; east 

along TX 44 to TX 16 at Freer; south 

along TX 16 to FM 649 in Randado; 

south on FM 649 to FM 2686; east on 

FM 2686 to FM 1017; southeast on FM 

1017 to TX 186 at Linn; east along TX 

186 to the Mansfield Channel at Port 

Mansfield; east along the Mansfield 

Channel to the Gulf of Mexico. 

Area with additional restrictions — 

Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy 

Counties. 

Central Zone — That portion of the 

State lying between the North and South 

Zones. 

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. 

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 — Remainder of the State. 

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. 

Woodcock 

New Jersey 

North Zone — That portion of the 

State north of NJ 70. 

South Zone — The remainder of the 

State. 

Special September Canada Goose 

Seasons 

Atlantic Flyway 

Connecticut 

North Zone — That portion of the 

State north of I-95. 

South Zone — Remainder of the State. 

Maryland 

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. 

Massachusetts 

Western Zone — That portion of the 

State west of a line extending south 

from the Vermont border on I-91 to MA 

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

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

Connecticut border. 

Central Zone — That portion of the 

State east of the Berkshire Zone and 

west of a line extending south from the 

New Hampshire border on I-95 to U.S. 

1, south on U.S. 1 to I-93, south on I93 to MA 3, south on MA 3 to U.S. 6, 

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

28 to I-195, west to the Rhode Island 

border; except the waters, and the lands 

150 yards inland from the high-water 

mark, of the Assonet River upstream to 

the MA 24 bridge, and the Taunton 

River upstream to the Center St.–Elm St. 

bridge will be in the Coastal Zone. 

Coastal Zone — That portion of 

Massachusetts east and south of the 

Central Zone. 

New York 

Lake Champlain Zone — The U.S. 

portion of Lake Champlain and that area 

east and north of a line extending along 

NY 9B from the Canadian border to U.S. 

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

Keesville; south along NY 22 to the west 

shore of South Bay, along and around 

the shoreline of South Bay to NY 22 on 

the east shore of South Bay; southeast 


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along NY 22 to U.S. 4, northeast along 

U.S. 4 to the Vermont border. 

Long Island Zone — That area 

consisting of Nassau County, Suffolk 

County, that area of Westchester County 

southeast of I-95, and their tidal waters. 

Western Zone — That area west of a 

line extending from Lake Ontario east 

along the north shore of the Salmon 

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

Pennsylvania border. 

Northeastern Zone — That area north 

of a line extending from Lake Ontario 

east along the north shore of the Salmon 

River to I-81, south along I-81 to NY 49, 

east along NY 49 to NY 365, east along 

NY 365 to NY 28, east along NY 28 to 

NY 29, east along NY 29 to I-87, north 

along I-87 to U.S. 9 (at Exit 20), north 

along U.S. 9 to NY 149, east along NY 

149 to U.S. 4, north along U.S. 4 to the 

Vermont border, exclusive of the Lake 

Champlain Zone. 

Southeastern Zone — The remaining 

portion of New York. 

North Carolina 

Northeast Hunt Unit — Camden, 

Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Hyde, 

Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell, and 

Washington Counties; that portion of 

Bertie County north and east of a line 

formed by NC 45 at the Washington 

County line to US 17 in Midway, US 17 

in Midway to US 13 in Windsor to the 

Hertford County line; and that portion 

of Northampton County that is north of 

US 158 and east of NC 35. 

Pennsylvania 

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). 

Vermont 

Lake Champlain Zone: The U.S. 

portion of Lake Champlain and that area 

north and west of the line extending 

from the New York border along U.S. 4 

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

7 at Vergennes; U.S. 7 to the Canadian 

border. 

Interior Zone: That portion of 

Vermont west of the Lake Champlain 

Zone and eastward of a line extending 

from the Massachusetts border at 

Interstate 91; north along Interstate 91 to 

US 2; east along US 2 to VT 102; north 

along VT 102 to VT 253; north along VT 

253 to the Canadian border. 

Connecticut River Zone: The 

remaining portion of Vermont east of 

the Interior Zone. 

Mississippi Flyway 

Arkansas 

Early Canada Goose Area: Baxter, 

Benton, Boone, Carroll, Clark, Conway, 

Crawford, Faulkner, Franklin, Garland, 

Hempstead, Hot Springs, Howard, 

Johnson, Lafayette, Little River, Logan, 

Madison, Marion, Miller, Montgomery, 

Newton, Perry, Pike, Polk, Pope, 

Pulaski, Saline, Searcy, Sebastian, 

Sevier, Scott, Van Buren, Washington, 

and Yell Counties. 

Illinois 

Northeast Canada Goose Zone — 

Cook, Du Page, Grundy, Kane, 

Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and 

Will Counties. 

North Zone: That portion of the State 

outside the Northeast Canada Goose 

Zone and north of a line extending west 

from the Indiana border along PeotoneBeecher Road to Illinois Route 50, south 

along Illinois Route 50 to WilmingtonPeotone Road, west along WilmingtonPeotone 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 I55 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 outside the Northeast Canada 

Goose Zone and south of the North Zone 

to a line extending west from the 

Indiana border along Interstate Highway 

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 

156, west along Illinois Route 156 to A 

Road, north and west on A Road to 

Levee Road, north on Levee Road to the 

south shore of New Fountain Creek, 

west along the south shore of New 

Fountain Creek to the Mississippi River, 

and due west across the Mississippi 

River to the Missouri border. 

South Zone: The remainder of Illinois. 

Iowa 

North Zone: That portion of the State 

north of U.S. Highway 20. 

South Zone: The remainder of Iowa. 

Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Goose Zone: 

Includes portions of Linn and Johnson 

Counties bounded as follows: Beginning 

at the intersection of the west border of 

Linn County and Linn County Road 

E2W; then south and east along County 

Road E2W to Highway 920; then north 

along Highway 920 to County Road E16; 

then east along County Road E16 to 

County Road W58; then south along 

County Road W58 to County Road E34; 

then east along County Road E34 to 

Highway 13; then south along Highway 

13 to Highway 30; then east along 

Highway 30 to Highway 1; then south 

along Highway 1 to Morse Road in 

Johnson County; then east along Morse 

Road to Wapsi Avenue; then south 

along Wapsi Avenue to Lower West 

Branch Road; then west along Lower 

West Branch Road to Taft Avenue; then 

south along Taft Avenue to County Road 

F62; then west along County Road F62 

to Kansas Avenue; then north along 

Kansas Avenue to Black Diamond Road; 

then west on Black Diamond Road to 

Jasper Avenue; then north along Jasper 

Avenue to Rohert Road; then west along 

Rohert Road to Ivy Avenue; then north 

along Ivy Avenue to 340th Street; then 

west along 340th Street to Half Moon 

Avenue; then north along Half Moon 

Avenue to Highway 6; then west along 

Highway 6 to Echo Avenue; then north 

along Echo Avenue to 250th Street; then 

east on 250th Street to Green Castle 

Avenue; then north along Green Castle 

Avenue to County Road F12; then west 

along County Road F12 to County Road 

W30; then north along County Road 

W30 to Highway 151; then north along 

the Linn–Benton County line to the 

point of beginning. 

Des Moines Goose Zone: Includes 

those portions of Polk, Warren, Madison 

and Dallas Counties bounded as follows: 

Beginning at the intersection of 

Northwest 158th Avenue and County 

Road R38 in Polk County; then south 

along R38 to Northwest 142nd Avenue; 

then east along Northwest 142nd 

Avenue to Northeast 126th Avenue; 

then east along Northeast 126th Avenue 

to Northeast 46th Street; then south 

along Northeast 46th Street to Highway 

931; then east along Highway 931 to 

Northeast 80th Street; then south along 

Northeast 80th Street to Southeast 6th 

Avenue; then west along Southeast 6th 

Avenue to Highway 65; then south and 

west along Highway 65 to Highway 69 

in Warren County; then south along 

Highway 69 to County Road G24; then 

west along County Road G24 to 

Highway 28; then southwest along 

Highway 28 to 43rd Avenue; then north 

along 43rd Avenue to Ford Street; then 

west along Ford Street to Filmore Street; 

then west along Filmore Street to 10th 

Avenue; then south along 10th Avenue 

to 155th Street in Madison County; then 


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west along 155th Street to Cumming 

Road; then north along Cumming Road 

to Badger Creek Avenue; then north 

along Badger Creek Avenue to County 

Road F90 in Dallas County; then east 

along County Road F90 to County Road 

R22; then north along County Road R22 

to Highway 44; then east along Highway 

44 to County Road R30; then north 

along County Road R30 to County Road 

F31; then east along County Road F31 

to Highway 17; then north along 

Highway 17 to Highway 415 in Polk 

County; then east along Highway 415 to 

Northwest 158th Avenue; then east 

along Northwest 158th Avenue to the 

point of beginning. 

Cedar Falls/Waterloo Goose Zone: 

Includes those portions of Black Hawk 

County bounded as follows: Beginning 

at the intersection of County Roads C66 

and V49 in Black Hawk County, then 

south along County Road V49 to County 

Road D38, then west along County Road 

D38 to State Highway 21, then south 

along State Highway 21 to County Road 

D35, then west along County Road D35 

to Grundy Road, then north along 

Grundy Road to County Road D19, then 

west along County Road D19 to Butler 

Road, then north along Butler Road to 

County Road C57, then north and east 

along County Road C57 to U.S. Highway 

63, then south along U.S. Highway 63 to 

County Road C66, then east along 

County Road C66 to the point of 

beginning. 

Minnesota 

Twin Cities Metropolitan Canada 

Goose Zone — 

A. All of Hennepin and Ramsey 

Counties. 

B. In Anoka County, all of Columbus 

Township lying south of County State 

Aid Highway (CSAH) 18, Anoka 

County; all of the cities of Ramsey, 

Andover, Anoka, Coon Rapids, Spring 

Lake Park, Fridley, Hilltop, Columbia 

Heights, Blaine, Lexington, Circle Pines, 

Lino Lakes, and Centerville; and all of 

the city of Ham Lake except that portion 

lying north of CSAH 18 and east of U.S. 

Highway 65. 

C. That part of Carver County lying 

north and east of the following 

described line: Beginning at the 

northeast corner of San Francisco 

Township; then west along the north 

boundary of San Francisco Township to 

the east boundary of Dahlgren 

Township; then north along the east 

boundary of Dahlgren Township to U.S. 

Highway 212; then west along U.S. 

Highway 212 to State Trunk Highway 

(STH) 284; then north on STH 284 to 

County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 10; 

then north and west on CSAH 10 to 

CSAH 30; then north and west on CSAH 

30 to STH 25; then east and north on 

STH 25 to CSAH 10; then north on 

CSAH 10 to the Carver County line. 

D. In Scott County, all of the cities of 

Shakopee, Savage, Prior Lake, and 

Jordan, and all of the Townships of 

Jackson, Louisville, St. Lawrence, Sand 

Creek, Spring Lake, and Credit River. 

E. In Dakota County, all of the cities 

of Burnsville, Eagan, Mendota Heights, 

Mendota, Sunfish Lake, Inver Grove 

Heights, Apple Valley, Lakeville, 

Rosemount, Farmington, Hastings, 

Lilydale, West St. Paul, and South St. 

Paul, and all of the Township of 

Nininger. 

F. That portion of Washington County 

lying south of the following described 

line: Beginning at County State Aid 

Highway (CSAH) 2 on the west 

boundary of the county; then east on 

CSAH 2 to U.S. Highway 61; then south 

on U.S. Highway 61 to State Trunk 

Highway (STH) 97; then east on STH 97 

to the intersection of STH 97 and STH 

95; then due east to the east boundary 

of the State. 

Northwest Goose 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. 

Southeast Goose Zone — That part of 

the State within the following described 

boundaries: beginning at the 

intersection of U.S. Highway 52 and the 

south boundary of the Twin Cities 

Metro Canada Goose Zone; then along 

the U.S. Highway 52 to State Trunk 

Highway (STH) 57; then along STH 57 

to the municipal boundary of Kasson; 

then along the municipal boundary of 

Kasson County State Aid Highway 

(CSAH) 13, Dodge County; then along 

CSAH 13 to STH 30; then along STH 30 

to U.S. Highway 63; then along U.S. 

Highway 63 to the south boundary of 

the State; then along the south and east 

boundaries of the State to the south 

boundary of the Twin Cities Metro 

Canada Goose Zone; then along said 

boundary to the point of beginning. 

Five Goose Zone — That portion of 

the State not included in the Twin 

Cities Metropolitan Canada Goose Zone, 

the Northwest Goose Zone, or the 

Southeast Goose Zone. 

West Zone — That portion of the State 

encompassed by a line beginning at the 

junction of State Trunk Highway (STH) 

60 and the Iowa border, then north and 

east along STH 60 to U.S. Highway 71, 

north along U.S. 71 to I-94, then north 

and west along I-94 to the North Dakota 

border. 

Tennessee 

Middle Tennessee Zone — Those 

portions of Houston, Humphreys, 

Montgomery, Perry, and Wayne 

Counties east of State Highway 13; and 

Bedford, Cannon, Cheatham, Coffee, 

Davidson, Dickson, Franklin, Giles, 

Hickman, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, 

Macon, Marshall, Maury, Moore, 

Robertson, Rutherford, Smith, Sumner, 

Trousdale, Williamson, and Wilson 

Counties. 

East Tennessee Zone — Anderson, 

Bledsoe, Bradley, Blount, Campbell, 

Carter, Claiborne, Clay, Cocke, 

Cumberland, DeKalb, Fentress, 

Grainger, Greene, Grundy, Hamblen, 

Hamilton, Hancock, Hawkins, Jackson, 

Jefferson, Johnson, Knox, Loudon, 

Marion, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, 

Morgan, Overton, Pickett, Polk, Putnam, 

Rhea, Roane, Scott, Sequatchie, Sevier, 

Sullivan, Unicoi, Union, Van Buren, 

Warren, Washington, and White 

Counties. 

Wisconsin 

Early-Season Subzone A — That 

portion of the State encompassed by a 

line beginning at the intersection of U.S. 

Highway 141 and the Michigan border 

near Niagara, then south along U.S. 141 

to State Highway 22, west and 

southwest along State 22 to U.S. 45, 

south along U.S. 45 to State 22, west 

and south along State 22 to State 110, 

south along State 110 to U.S. 10, south 

along U.S. 10 to State 49, south along 

State 49 to State 23, west along State 23 

to State 73, south along State 73 to State 

60, west along State 60 to State 23, 

south along State 23 to State 11, east 

along State 11 to State 78, then south 

along State 78 to the Illinois border. 

Early-Season Subzone B — The 

remainder of the State. 

Central Flyway 

Nebraska 

September Canada Goose Unit – That 

part of Nebraska bounded by a line from 

the Nebraska–Iowa State line west on 

U.S. Highway 30 to US Highway 81, 

then south on US Highway 81 to NE 

Highway 64, then east on NE Highway 

64 to NE Highway 15, then south on NE 

Highway 15 to NE Highway 41, then 

east on NE Highway 41 to NE Highway 

50, then north on NE Highway 50 to NE 


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Highway 2, then east on NE Highway 2 

to the Nebraska–Iowa State line. 

North Dakota 

Missouri River Canada Goose Zone: 

The area within and bounded by a line 

starting where ND Hwy 6 crosses the 

South Dakota border; 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 north on Mercer 

County Rd. 21 to the section line 

between sections 8 and 9 (T146NR87W); then north on that section line 

to the southern shoreline to Lake 

Sakakawea; then east along the southern 

shoreline (including Mallard Island) of 

Lake Sakakawea to US Hwy 83; then 

south on US Hwy 83 to ND Hwy 200; 

then east on ND Hwy 200 to ND Hwy 

41; then south on ND Hwy 41 to US 

Hwy 83; then south on US Hwy 83 to 

I-94; then east on I-94 to US Hwy 83; 

then south on US Hwy 83 to the South 

Dakota border; then west along the 

South Dakota border to ND Hwy 6. 

Rest of State: Remainder of North 

Dakota. 

South Dakota 

Special Early Canada Goose Unit: 

Entire state of South Dakota except the 

Counties of Bennett, Bon Home, Brule, 

Buffalo, Charles Mix, Custer east of SD 

Highway 79 and south of French Creek, 

Dewey south of 212, Fall River east of 

SD Highway 71 and US Highway 385, 

Gregory, Hughes, Hyde south of US 

Highway 14, Lyman, Perkins, Potter 

west of US Highway 83, Stanley, and 

Sully. 

Pacific Flyway 

Idaho 

East Zone — Bonneville, Caribou, 

Fremont, and Teton Counties. 

Oregon 

Northwest Zone — Benton, 

Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Lane, 

Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Polk, 

Multnomah, Tillamook, Washington, 

and Yamhill Counties. 

Southwest Zone — Coos, Curry, 

Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, and 

Klamath Counties. 

East Zone — Baker, Gilliam, Malheur, 

Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, Union, and 

Wasco Counties. 

Washington 

Area 1 — Skagit, Island, and 

Snohomish Counties. 

Area 2A (SW Quota Zone) — Clark 

County, except portions south of the 

Washougal River; Cowlitz County; and 

Wahkiakum County. 

Area 2B (SW Quota Zone) — Pacific 

County. 

Area 3 — All areas west of the Pacific 

Crest Trail and west of the Big White 

Salmon River that are not included in 

Areas 1, 2A, and 2B. 

Area 4 — Adams, Benton, Chelan, 

Douglas, Franklin, Grant, Kittitas, 

Lincoln, Okanogan, Spokane, and Walla 

Walla Counties. 

Area 5 — All areas east of the Pacific 

Crest Trail and east of the Big White 

Salmon River that are not included in 

Area 4. 

Ducks 

Atlantic Flyway 

New York 

Lake Champlain Zone: The U.S. 

portion of Lake Champlain and that area 

east and north of a line extending along 

NY 9B from the Canadian border to U.S. 

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

Keesville; south along NY 22 to the west 

shore of South Bay, along and around 

the shoreline of South Bay to NY 22 on 

the east shore of South Bay; southeast 

along NY 22 to U.S. 4, northeast along 

U.S. 4 to the Vermont border. 

Long Island Zone: That area 

consisting of Nassau County, Suffolk 

County, that area of Westchester County 

southeast of I-95, and their tidal waters. 

Western Zone: That area west of a line 

extending from Lake Ontario east along 

the north shore of the Salmon River to 

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

Pennsylvania border. 

Northeastern Zone: That area north of 

a line extending from Lake Ontario east 

along the north shore of the Salmon 

River to I-81, south along I-81 to NY 49, 

east along NY 49 to NY 365, east along 

NY 365 to NY 28, east along NY 28 to 

NY 29, east along NY 29 to I-87, north 

along I-87 to U.S. 9 (at Exit 20), north 

along U.S. 9 to NY 149, east along NY 

149 to U.S. 4, north along U.S. 4 to the 

Vermont border, exclusive of the Lake 

Champlain Zone. 

Southeastern Zone: The remaining 

portion of New York. 

Maryland 

Special Teal Season Area: Calvert, 

Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen 

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

Wicomico, and Worcester Counties and 

those parts of Cecil. Harford, and 

Baltimore Counties east of Interstate 95; 

that part of Anne Arundel County east 

of Interstate 895, Interstate 97, and 

Route 3; that part of Prince Georges 

County east of Route 3 and route 301; 

and that part of Charles County east of 

Route 301 to the Virginia State Line. 

Mississippi Flyway 

Indiana 

North Zone: That portion of the State 

north of a line extending east from the 

Illinois border along State Road 18 to 

U.S. Highway 31, north along U.S. 31 to 

U.S. 24, east along U.S. 24 to 

Huntington, then southeast along U.S. 

224 to the Ohio border. 

Ohio River Zone: That portion of the 

State south of a line extending east from 

the Illinois border along Interstate 

Highway 64 to New Albany, east along 

State Road 62 to State 56, east along 

State 56 to Vevay, east and north on 

State 156 along the Ohio River to North 

Landing, north along State 56 to U.S. 

Highway 50, then northeast along U.S. 

50 to the Ohio border. 

South Zone: That portion of the State 

between the North and Ohio River Zone 

boundaries. 

Iowa 

North Zone: That portion of the State 

north of a line extending east from the 

Nebraska border along State Highway 

175 to State Highway 37, southeast 

along State Highway 37 to State 

Highway 183, northeast along State 

Highway 183 to State Highway 141, east 

along State Highway 141 to U.S. 

Highway 30, then east along U.S. 

Highway 30 to the Illinois border. 

South Zone: The remainder of Iowa. 

Central Flyway 

Colorado 

Special Teal Season Area: Lake and 

Chaffee Counties and that portion of the 

State east of Interstate Highway 25. 

Kansas 

High Plains Zone: That portion of the 

State west of U.S. 283. 

Low Plains Early Zone: That area of 

Kansas east of U.S. 283, and generally 

west of a line beginning at the Junction 

of the Nebraska State line and KS 28; 

south on KS 28 to U.S. 36; east on U.S. 

36 to KS 199; south on KS 199 to 

Republic Co. Road 563; south on 

Republic Co. Road 563 to KS 148; east 

on KS 148 to Republic Co. Road 138; 

south on Republic Co. Road 138 to 

Cloud Co. Road 765; south on Cloud Co. 

Road 765 to KS 9; west on KS 9 to U.S. 

24; west on U.S. 24 to U.S. 281; north 

on U.S. 281 to U.S. 36; west on U.S. 36 

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

24; west on U.S. 24 to KS 18; southeast 

on KS 18 to U.S. 183; south on U.S. 183 

to KS 4; east on KS 4 to I–135; south on 

I–135 to KS 61; southwest on KS 61 to 

KS 96; northwest on KS 96 to U.S. 56; 

west on U.S. 56 to U.S. 281; south on 

U.S. 281 to U.S. 54; west on U.S. 54 to 


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U.S. 183; north on U.S. 183 to U.S. 56; 

and southwest on U.S. 56 to U.S. 283. 

Low Plains Late Zone: The remainder 

of Kansas. 

Nebraska 

Special Teal Season Area: That 

portion of the State south of a line 

beginning at the Wyoming State line; 

east along U.S. 26 to Nebraska Highway 

L62A east to U.S. 385; south to U.S. 26; 

east to NE 92; east along NE 92 to NE 

61; south along NE 61 to U.S. 30; east 

along U.S. 30 to the Iowa border. 

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. 

Pacific Flyway 

California 

Northeastern Zone: In that portion of 

California lying east and north of a line 

beginning at the intersection of 

Interstate 5 with the California–Oregon 

line; south along Interstate 5 to its 

junction with Walters Lane south of the 

town of Yreka; west along Walters Lane 

to its junction with Easy Street; south 

along Easy Street to the junction with 

Old Highway 99; south along Old 

Highway 99 to the point of intersection 

with Interstate 5 north of the town of 

Weed; south along Interstate 5 to its 

junction with Highway 89; east and 

south along Highway 89 to Main Street 

Greenville; north and east to its junction 

with North Valley Road; south to its 

junction of Diamond Mountain Road; 

north and east to its junction with North 

Arm Road; south and west to the 

junction of North Valley Road; south to 

the junction with Arlington Road (A22); 

west to the junction of Highway 89; 

south and west to the junction of 

Highway 70; east on Highway 70 to 

Highway 395; south and east on 

Highway 395 to the point of intersection 

with the California–Nevada State line; 

north along the California–Nevada State 

line to the junction of the California– 

Nevada–Oregon State lines west along 

the California–Oregon State line to the 

point of origin. 

Colorado River Zone: Those portions 

of San Bernardino, Riverside, and 

Imperial Counties east of a line 

extending from the Nevada border south 

along U.S. 95 to Vidal Junction; south 

on a road known as Aqueduct Road’’ in 

San Bernardino County through the 

town of Rice to the San Bernardino– 

Riverside County line; south on a road 

known in Riverside County as the 

Desert Center to Rice Road’’ to the town 

of Desert Center; east 31 miles on I-10 

to the Wiley Well Road; south on this 

road to Wiley Well; southeast along the 

Army-Milpitas Road to the Blythe, 

Brawley, Davis Lake intersections; south 

on the Blythe-Brawley paved road to the 

Ogilby and Tumco Mine Road; south on 

this road to U.S. 80; east 7 miles on U.S. 

80 to the Andrade-Algodones Road; 

south on this paved road to the Mexican 

border at Algodones, Mexico. 

Southern Zone: That portion of 

southern California (but excluding the 

Colorado River Zone) south and east of 

a line extending from the Pacific Ocean 

east along the Santa Maria River to CA 

166 near the City of Santa Maria; east on 

CA 166 to CA 99; south on CA 99 to the 

crest of the Tehachapi Mountains at 

Tejon Pass; east and north along the 

crest of the Tehachapi Mountains to CA 

178 at Walker Pass; east on CA 178 to 

U.S. 395 at the town of Inyokern; south 

on U.S. 395 to CA 58; east on CA 58 to 

I-15; east on I-15 to CA 127; north on CA 

127 to the Nevada border. 

Southern San Joaquin Valley 

Temporary Zone: All of Kings and 

Tulare Counties and that portion of 

Kern County north of the Southern 

Zone. 

Balance-of-the-State Zone: The 

remainder of California not included in 

the Northeastern, Southern, and 

Colorado River Zones, and the Southern 

San Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone. 

Canada Geese 

Michigan 

MVP—Upper Peninsula Zone: The 

MVP—Upper Peninsula Zone consists 

of the entire Upper Peninsula of 

Michigan. 

MVP—Lower Peninsula Zone: The 

MVP—Lower Peninsula Zone consists 

of the area within the Lower Peninsula 

of Michigan that is north and west of the 

point beginning at the southwest corner 

of Branch County, north continuing 

along the western border of Branch and 

Calhoun Counties to the northwest 

corner of Calhoun County, then east to 

the southwest corner of Eaton County, 

then north to the southern border of 

Ionia County, then east to the southwest 

corner of Clinton County, then north 

along the western border of Clinton 

County continuing north along the 

county border of Gratiot and Montcalm 

Counties to the southern border of 

Isabella county, then east to the 

southwest corner of Midland County, 

then north along the west Midland 

County border to Highway M-20, then 

easterly to U.S. Highway 10, then 

easterly to U.S. Interstate 75 / U.S. 

Highway 23, then northerly along I-75 / 

U.S. 23 and easterly on U.S. 23 to the 

centerline of the Au Gres River, then 

southerly along the centerline of the Au 

Gres River to Saginaw Bay, then on a 

line directly east 10 miles into Saginaw 

Bay, and from that point on a line 

directly northeast to the Canadian 

border. 

SJBP Zone is the rest of the State, that 

area south and east of the boundary 

described above. 

Sandhill Cranes 

Central Flyway 

Colorado 

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 

That portion of the State west of a line 

beginning at the Oklahoma border, 

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

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

Nebraska border. 

Montana 

The Central Flyway portion of the 

State except for that area south and west 

of Interstate 90, which is closed to 

sandhill crane hunting. 

New Mexico 

Regular-Season Open Area — Chaves, 

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

Roosevelt Counties. 

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 — Sierra, Luna, Dona 

Ana Counties, and those portions of 

Grant and Hidalgo Counties south of I10. 

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 

That portion of the State west of I-35. 

South Dakota 

That portion of the State west of U.S. 

281. 


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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 Interstate Highway 35W 

in Fort Worth, then southwest along 

Interstate Highway 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 

Regular-Season Open Area — 

Campbell, Converse, Crook, Goshen, 

Laramie, Niobrara, Platte, and Weston 

Counties, and those portions of Johnson 

County east of Interstates 25 and 90 and 

Sheridan County east of Interstate 90. 

Riverton-Boysen Unit — Portions of 

Fremont County. 

Park and Big Horn County Unit — 

Portions of Park and Big Horn Counties. 

Pacific Flyway 

Arizona 

Special-Season Area — Game 

Management Units 30A, 30B, 31, and 

32. 

Montana 

Special-Season Area — See State 

regulations. 

Utah 

Special-Season Area — Rich, Cache, 

and Unitah Counties and that portion of 

Box Elder County beginning on the 

Utah–Idaho State line at the Box Elder– 

Cache 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 Elder– 

Weber 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. 

Wyoming 

Bear River Area — That portion of 

Lincoln County described in State 

regulations. 

Salt River Area — That portion of 

Lincoln County described in State 

regulations. 

Farson-Eden Area — Those portions 

of Sweetwater and Sublette Counties 

described in State regulations. 

Uinta County Area — That portion of 

Uinta County described in State 

regulations. 

All Migratory Game Birds in Alaska 

North Zone — State Game 

Management Units 1113 and 1726. 

Gulf Coast Zone — State Game 

Management Units 57, 9, 1416, and 10 

(Unimak Island only). 

Southeast Zone — State Game 

Management Units 14. 

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 


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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. 

[FR Doc. E9–20400 Filed 8–24–09; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE S 


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