50660 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 20

RIN 1018-AE14

Migratory Bird Hunting; Final

Frameworks for Late-Season Migratory

Bird Hunting Regulations

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service,

Interior.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: This rule prescribes final lateseason frameworks from which States

may select season dates, limits, and

other options for the 1997–98 migratory

bird hunting season. These late seasons

include most waterfowl seasons, the

earliest of which generally commence

on or about October 1, 1997. The effects

of this final rule are to facilitate the

selection of hunting seasons by the

States to further the annual

establishment of the late-season

migratory bird hunting regulations.

State selections will be published in the

Federal Register as amendments to

§§ 20.104 through 20.107 and § 20.109

of title 50 CFR part 20.

DATE: This rule takes effect on

September 26, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Season selections from

States are to be mailed to: Chief, Office

of Migratory Bird Management, U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service, Department

of the Interior, ms 634—ARLSQ, 1849 C

Street, NW., Washington, DC 20240.

Comments received are available for

public inspection during normal

business hours in room 634, Arlington

Square Building, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive,

Arlington, Virginia.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul

R. Schmidt, Chief, Office of Migratory

Bird Management, U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service, (703) 358–1714.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulations Schedule for 1997

On March 13, 1997, the Service

published in the Federal Register (62

FR 39712) a proposal to amend 50 CFR

part 20. The proposal dealt with the

establishment of seasons, limits, and

other regulations for migratory game

birds under §§ 20.101 through 20.107,

20.109, and 20.110 of subpart K. On

June 6, 1997, the Service published in

the Federal Register (62 FR 31298) a

second document providing

supplemental proposals for early- and

late-season migratory bird hunting

regulations frameworks and the

proposed regulatory alternatives for the

1997–98 duck hunting season. The June

6 supplement also provided detailed

information on the 1997–98 regulatory

schedule and announced the Service

Migratory Bird Regulations Committee

and Flyway Council meetings. On June

27, 1997, the Service held a public

hearing in Washington, DC, as

announced in the March 13 and June 6

Federal Registers to review the status of

migratory shore and upland game birds.

The Service discussed hunting

regulations for these species and for

other early seasons. On July 23, 1997,

the Service published in the Federal

Register (62 FR 39712) a third

document. This document contained the

final regulatory alternatives for the

1997–98 duck hunting season and the

proposed early-season frameworks for

the 1997–98 season.

On August 7, 1997, the Service held

a public hearing in Washington, DC, as

announced in the March 13, June 6, and

July 23 Federal Registers to review the

status of waterfowl. Proposed hunting

regulations were discussed for late

seasons. On August 20, 1997, the

Service published a fifth document (62

FR 44229) containing final frameworks

for early migratory bird hunting seasons

from which wildlife conservation

agency officials from the States, Puerto

Rico, and the Virgin Islands selected

early-season hunting dates, hours, areas,

and limits. On August 25, 1997, the

Service published a sixth document (62

FR 45078) which dealt specifically with

proposed frameworks for the 1997–98

late-season migratory bird hunting

regulations. On August 29, 1997, the

Service published in the Federal

Register (62 FR 46512) a seventh

document consisting of a final rule

amending subpart K of title 50 CFR part

20 to set hunting seasons, hours, areas,

and limits for early seasons. This

document, which establishes final

frameworks for late-season migratory

bird hunting regulations for the 1997–98

season, is the eighth in the series.

Review of Comments and the Service’s

Response

Public-hearing and written comments

received through September 4, 1997,

relating to proposed late-season

frameworks, are discussed and

addressed here. Mr. Robert McDowell,

representing the Atlantic Flyway

Council, presented a statement at the

August 7, 1997, public hearing. Lateseason comments are summarized and

discussed in the order used in the

March 13, 1997, Federal Register. Only

the numbered items pertaining to late

seasons for which comments were

received are included. Flyway Council

recommendations shown below include

only those involving changes from the

1996–97 late-season frameworks. For

those topics where a Council

recommendation is not shown, the

Council supported continuing the same

frameworks as in 1996–97.

General

Written Comments: The Humane

Society of the United States (Humane

Society) expressed concern that the

public was not well represented in the

regulations-development process and

requested establishment of a system

directly involving the non-hunting

public. In addition, they recommended

that the Service undertake efforts to

obtain population estimates for all

hunted species. Finally, they

recommended pre-sunrise shooting be

disallowed.

Service Response: As we have stated

previously, when the preliminary

proposed rulemaking document was

published in the Federal Register on

March 13, 1997, the Service announced

the comment periods for the earlyseason and late-season proposals and

gave notice that the process of

promulgating hunting regulations

‘‘must, by its nature, operate under time

constraints.’’ Ample time must be given

to gather and interpret survey data,

consider recommendations and develop

proposals, and to receive public

comment. Scheduled dates are set to

give the greatest possible opportunity

for public input. The Service is

obligated to, and does, give serious

consideration to all information

received as public comment. The

Service has long recognized the

problems associated with the length of

time necessary to establish the final

frameworks, and in conjunction with

States, Flyway Councils, and the public,

continues to seek new ways to

streamline and improve the regulatory

process.

Regarding the Service’s efforts to

obtain population estimates, the longterm objectives of the Service 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. Annually, the Service

evaluates the status of populations and

considers the potential impacts of

hunting. The Service believes that the

hunting seasons provided herein are

consistent with the current status of

waterfowl populations and long-term

population goals. In regard to shooting

hours, the Service has compiled

information which demonstrates that

shooting hours beginning one-half hour

before sunrise do not contribute
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 50661

significantly to the harvest of nontarget

species. Consistent with the Service’s

long-term strategy for shooting hours,

published in the September 21, 1990,

Federal Register (55 FR 38898), the

frameworks herein provide for shooting

hours of one-half hour before sunrise to

sunset, unless otherwise specified.

1. Ducks

The categories used to discuss issues

related to duck harvest management are

as follows: (A) General Harvest Strategy,

(B) Framework Dates, (C) Season

Length, (D) Closed Seasons, (E) Bag

Limits, (F) Zones and Split Seasons, and

(G) Special Seasons/Species

Management. Only those categories

containing substantial recommendations

are included below.

A. General Harvest Strategy

Council Recommendations: The

Atlantic Flyway Council, the UpperRegion Regulations Committee of the

Mississippi Flyway Council, the Central

Flyway Council, and the Pacific Flyway

Council recommended adopting the

‘‘liberal’’ alternative for the 1997–98

duck hunting season.

The Atlantic and Pacific Flyway

Councils further recommended that the

four regulatory packages adopted by the

Service in the July 23, 1997, Federal

Register be maintained until such time

as the Service and Flyway Councils

agree that there is compelling

justification for modification.

The Lower-Region Regulations

Committee of the Mississippi Flyway

Council recommended adoption of the

‘‘liberal’’ alternative with a modification

of the framework closing date. Specific

details are discussed in B. Framework

Dates.

Written Comments: The Pennsylvania

Game Commission (Pennsylvania)

supported the Adaptive Harvest

Management process and was

encouraged that information from

eastern mallards was beginning to be

used to develop harvest strategies for

the Atlantic Flyway. While

Pennsylvania supported the final four

alternatives for 1997–98, they continue

to support consideration for a fixed bag

limit in all alternatives.

Individuals from California, Florida,

Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts,

Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New

York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon,

Pennsylvania, Texas, and Utah

requested that bag limits and season

lengths not be increased this year since

at least six duck populations (mallard,

wigeon, pintail, redhead, scaup, and

black ducks) declined in 1996.

Delta Waterfowl (Delta) believed that

the Service was placing tremendous

burden on individual States that

recognize that the regulation package

was overly excessive. Delta further

believed that the Service should play

more of a leadership role in the aspects

of hunter attitudes and ethical standards

of waterfowl hunting. By promoting

soley highly technical, statistically

confusing data and ignoring

constituencies, Delta believed that the

Service was not acting in the best

interest of waterfowling. Further, Delta

believed that hunters did not ask for

extensive liberalizations in the

regulations.

Service Response: Beginning in 1995,

the Service, Flyway Councils, and States

introduced a new approach to the

regulation of duck harvests, called

Adaptive Harvest Management (AHM).

An integral part of this harvestmanagement approach is the

cooperative establishment of a set of

regulatory alternatives that includes

specified season lengths and bag limits

for very restrictive, restrictive,

moderate, and liberal seasons. The

alternatives established for this year’s

hunting season were the result of

extensive discussions with the Flyway

Councils and States since last January,

as well as involvement by the public

during an open comment period. The

estimate of total ducks this year is 16

percent higher than the long-term

average and several species are at record

levels. The outlook for production is

excellent and the 1997 fall flight will be

comparable to those observed during the

1970s. Based on favorable input, the

Service will continue use of the AHM

approach initiated last year. The AHM

strategy for 1997 prescribes the ‘‘liberal’’

regulatory alternative based on high

mallard and pond numbers.

The framework closing date

recommended by the Lower-Region

Regulations Committee of the

Mississippi Flyway Council differed

from those in the ‘‘liberal’’ alternative

established in the July 23 Federal

Register. The Service’s frameworks are

consistent with the ‘‘liberal’’ alternative

outlined in the July 23 Federal Register

and was supported by the other three

Flyway Councils as well as the

Mississippi Flyway Council’s UpperRegion Regulations Committee.

B. Framework Dates

Council Recommendations: The

Lower-Region Regulations Committee of

the Mississippi Flyway Council

recommended an experimental

extension of the framework closing date

to January 31 to allow evaluation of the

extension, as long as this does not affect

regulations/framework packages in nonparticipating states.

Written Comments: The Mississippi

Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and

Parks (Mississippi) requested Service

support and approval of the LowerRegion Regulations Committee of the

Mississippi Flyway Council’s study/

framework extension proposal.

Mississippi further offered to (1) accept

a 50-day season in return for a January

31 closure, (2) close the season on the

Sunday before January 31, (3) accept

one less hen mallard in the bag, and (4)

assist with the necessary funding to

conduct the study.

The Humane Society recommended

that all seasons open at noon mid-week

in order to reduce the high level of

harvest associated with traditional

Saturday season openings. Furthermore,

the Humane Society recommended that

season openings be delayed by 2 weeks

in all breeding areas in order to allow

ducks time to leave natal marshes before

being subjected to hunting pressure.

Service Response: In the July 23

Federal Register, the Service outlined

the reasons why it did not support an

expansion of the framework dates at this

time.

Regarding the Humane Society’s

recommendation for mid-week season

openings, the Service has previously

stated in the Federal Register (58 FR

50190) that a State may choose to delay

its opening date to correspond with a

particular day of the week or to close

earlier to maximize the number of

weekends that hunting is allowed.

F. Zones and Split Seasons

Council Recommendations: The

Upper-Region Regulations Committee of

the Mississippi Flyway Council

recommended the Service allow ‘‘3

zones and 2-way splits in one or more

zones’’ as an additional option to the

current zoning process. The Committee

also requested that the Service allow

States up to 1 year to choose this option,

based on the public-input process States

undertake, before they provide the

Service with their proposal (prior to the

1998–99 regular-duck season).

Written Comments: The Maine

Department of Inland Fisheries and

Wildlife (Maine) supported the use of 3

zones and 2-way splits in one or more

zones as an additional option to the

current zoning criteria. Maine further

requested this change be accomplished

prior to the 2001 regulation cycle.

Several individuals from Iowa

recommended an elimination of zones

and allowing a continuous, statewide

season. An individual from Missouri

recommended the use of a 3-way split

season in Missouri.

The Humane Society urges the

Service to discontinue all split and
50662 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

special seasons and recommends that

any State establishing such seasons

reduce the total number of hunting days

by a minimum of 10 days.

Service Response: In 1990, the Service

established guidelines for the use of

zones and split seasons for duck

hunting (Federal Register, 55 FR

38901). These guidelines were based

upon an evaluation of the historical use

of zone/split options, and were

reviewed by the Flyway Councils. The

primary purpose of the guidelines was

to provide a framework for controlling

the proliferation of changes in zones

and split seasons which compromise

our ability to measure impacts of

various regulatory changes on harvest.

One of the guidelines is that once a

State selects a zone/split option during

an open season, the option must remain

in place for the following 5 years.

The first open season for changes was

in 1991 and the second occurred last

year when zone/split configurations

were established for the 1996–2000

period. Last year during the open

season, the Service revised the 1990

guidelines, based largely on

recommendations from the four Flyway

Councils. Final guidelines were

published in the July 22, 1996, Federal

Register. Currently, the 1997–98 season

will be only the second year of the 5-

year moratorium period. The next open

season for changes in zone/split

configurations will be in 2001.

In regard to the recommendation that

split and special seasons be

discontinued, the Service notes that

States always have the option of

selecting a continuous season with no

splits. Furthermore, the Service is not

aware of any information suggesting that

split and special seasons are causing

detrimental impacts to populations.

G. Special Seasons/Species

Management

i. Black Ducks

Council Recommendations: The

Atlantic Flyway Council recommended

that the individual Atlantic Flyway

States achieve a 42 percent reduction in

their black duck harvest during the

1997–98 season compared with the

1977–81 base-line harvest.

Written Comments: The New Jersey

Waterfowlers Association recommended

a uniform black duck daily bag limit of

2 birds in the Atlantic Flyway.

Service Response: The Service agrees

with the Atlantic Flyway Council’s

recommendation and acknowledges the

Council’s concern for the population

status of black ducks. Black duck

populations remain below the North

American Waterfowl Management Plan

goal, and while the decline seems to

have halted, little increase is evident.

The Service believes the harvest

restrictions identified in the 1983

Environmental Assessment should be

maintained until a revised harvest

strategy is developed.

ii. Canvasbacks

Written Comments: The New Jersey

Waterfowlers Association recommended

a canvasback daily bag limit of 2 birds

based on 1995 and 1996 breeding

population indices.

Service Response: The Service

continues to support the canvasback

harvest strategy adopted in 1994.

Current population and habitat status

suggests that a daily bag limit of 1

canvasback during the 1997–98 season

will result in a harvest within levels

allowed by the strategy. The Service

believes that it has insufficient

experience with this harvest strategy to

consider modifications at this time, and

is concerned that an overly aggressive

strategy could precipitate a return to

closed seasons. The Service, as stated in

previous Federal Registers, is

continuing to monitor the performance

of the canvasback harvest strategy

adopted in 1994. The Service is

particularly interested in harvest

information from the coming duck

season, which will have the longest

season lengths offered in decades. Prior

to next summer, the Service plans to

assess how well observed harvests and

population abundance were predicted

by the strategy. The Service notes that

the development of the canvasback

strategy took several years and required

a lot of technical work and consensusbuilding. The resulting strategy appears

to have been fairly successful at meeting

the major needs expressed: (1) provides

a consistent harvest strategy (i.e.,

minimizing closed seasons as

previously experienced); (2) provides

hunting opportunity over a wide

geographic area; (3) does not include

seasons within seasons; and (4) provides

for a fairly stabilized population.

A complete reassessment of the

strategy is not a high priority, given

other pressing issues with AHM. The

extent of the assessment will be

tempered by the amount of staff time

needed to address higher-priority issues.

iii. Pintails

Council Recommendations: The

Atlantic Flyway Council recommended

a 2-bird daily bag limit for pintails in

the 1997–98 hunting season instead of

the 3-bird daily bag limit prescribed by

the Interim Pintail Harvest Strategy.

Written Comments: The Pennsylvania

Game Commission did not support the

proposed interim pintail harvest

strategy. They believe that the status of

pintails derived from eastern areas is

uncertain and that increasing the bag

limit to 3 birds will lead to negative

perceptions from hunters. They

recommend a 2-bird daily bag limit.

Delta Waterfowl did not support a 3-

pintail daily bag limit in all four

Flyways. They believed that the

proposal did not have adequate time for

public input and that such a change

would further erode the confidence of

hunters in AHM. They recommended

that, if a 3-bird limit were approved,

that no more than 1 hen pintail be

allowed. Individuals from Michigan and

Minnesota recommended that the

pintail daily bag limit remain at 1 bird.

The National Wildlife Federation was

concerned that pintails remain below

population objectives and believed it

would be prudent to reduce the pintail

daily bag limit to 2.

The Wildlife Management Institute

expressed concern over the status of

pintails, but believed the interim

strategy provides the Service with a

solid foundation for the time being.

Service Response: In the July 23

Federal Register, the Service adopted

the Interim Strategy for Northern Pintail

Harvest Regulations detailed in the June

6 and July 23 Federal Registers. The

Service adopted this interim strategy

with the understanding that it would be

replaced by a more fully adaptive

approach at the earliest opportunity and

because it addressed key Service

concerns outlined in the July 22, 1996,

Federal Register (61 FR 37994). For the

1997–98 hunting season, the interim

harvest strategy prescribes a 3-bird daily

bag limit for pintails in all four Flyways.

iv. High Plains Management Unit

Council Recommendations: The

Central Flyway Council recommended

minor administrative changes to the

High Plains Mallard Management Unit

boundary in North Dakota and South

Dakota for boundary clarification and

wetland development.

Service Response: The Service

concurs.

4. Canada Geese

Council Recommendations: The

Atlantic Flyway Council recommended

the Service not open the regular hunting

season on Atlantic Population (AP)

Canada geese during the 1997–98 season

except that a 10-day season with a 1-

bird daily bag limit be allowed during

November in that portion of New

England east of the Connecticut River

and in eastern Long Island, New York,

where geese from the Maritime segment

of the AP population may occur.

The Atlantic Flyway Council also

recommended the establishment of
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 50663

regular-season frameworks in Maine,

West Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia,

and Florida, and those portions of New

York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia,

and North Carolina that have been

determined not to contain AP Canada

geese. The Council’s recommended

frameworks would consist of a 70-day

season with a 3-bird daily bag limit for

Maine, West Virginia, South Carolina,

Georgia, and Florida with framework

dates of October 1 to February 15; a 70-

day season with a 3-bird daily bag limit

for designated portions of Virginia,

Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New York

with framework dates of November 15

to February 15; and a 46-day season

with a 3-bird daily bag limit in

designated portions of North Carolina

with framework dates of October 1 to

November 15.

The Upper-Region Regulations

Committee of the Mississippi Flyway

Council recommended several changes

in Canada goose quotas, season lengths,

etc., based on population status and

population management plans and

programs.

The Pacific Flyway Council

recommended several changes in

Canada goose frameworks. In southwest

Washington and northwest Oregon, the

Council recommended increasing the

bag and possession limits on cackling

Canada geese from 2/4 to 3/6

respectively in the regular season. In the

Balance-of-the-State Zone in California,

the Council recommended that the

season for cackling Canada geese be

extended by two weeks and the

possession limit be expanded from 1 to

2 birds. In western New Mexico, the

Council recommended increasing the

bag and possession limit from 2/4 to 3/

6, respectively. Regarding dusky Canada

goose harvest quotas, the Council

recommended establishment of a 85

dusky Canada goose quota in

Washington’s Lower Columbia River

Special Goose Management Area and a

165 dusky Canada goose quota in

Oregon’s Special Goose Management

Area. Finally, the Council

recommended a minor revision the

Western Washington Goose

Management Area 2.

Written Comments: The

Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and

Wildlife supported the Atlantic Flyway

Council’s recommendation for a 10 day,

1-bird daily bag in the New England

area.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission

expressed disappointment with the

Service’s proposal to not accept the

Atlantic Flyway Council’s

recommendation for regular goose

seasons in areas free of AP geese. They

believed that the Service’s proposal is

not supported by available data and

serves to further complicate regulations

in Pennsylvania by creating four areas

with different goose regulations. They

disagree with the Service’s position to

manage much of western Pennsylvania

as Southern James Bay Population

harvest areas and are concerned that the

Service has ignored available data

supporting the creation of regularseason resident goose areas. They also

questioned the need to evaluate the

special late season in areas free of

migrant geese.

The National Wildlife Federation

agreed with the Service’s frameworks

intended to help restore migratory geese

in the Atlantic Flyway, while the

Wildlife Management Institute

applauded the Service’s decision to

forego seasons on Atlantic Population

geese even though production appears

to have improved.

The Southshore Waterfowlers

Association of New York and the

Concerned Coastal Sportsmen’s

Association of Massachusetts supported

the Atlantic Flyway Council’s

recommendation of a 10-day season in

New England.

An individual from Massachusetts

supported keeping the season on AP

geese closed, while an individual from

Pennsylvania recommended

reinstatement of the regular season on

AP geese.

An individual from Washington

recommended a 4-bird limit in the

Southwest Washington Zone.

Service Response: The Service does

not support the Atlantic Flyway

Council’s request for a November season

(10 days) with a 1-bird daily bag limit

in that portion of New England east of

the Connecticut River, including eastern

Long Island, NY, because this stock of

geese has been considered part of the

Atlantic Population and a management

plan describing this Maritime

Population of Canada geese has not yet

been developed. The Service first

requested that a Plan be developed in

1995 and encouraged the Council to

work cooperatively with the Canadian

Provinces to gather more data, review

key population parameters, and

establish an appropriate harvest

strategy. Although the Service does not

oppose the delineation of a Maritime

population, if warranted, more

information is needed to separate the

Atlantic Population into two units. A

management plan should set population

goals, identify monitoring programs and

contain some means to evaluate its

status and the effects of harvest. The

Service reiterates its longstanding policy

to manage Canada geese on a population

basis, guided by cooperatively

developed management plan.

Regarding the Atlantic Flyway

Council’s request to establish a regular

season on Canada geese in portions of

the Flyway determined not to contain

AP geese, the Service believes that it is

appropriate to conduct such a season

provided that it is consistent with the

Southern James Bay Population (SJBP)

Management Plan, and maintains those

restrictions currently in place in several

areas (Pennsylvania and South

Carolina).

Thus, the Service will allow the

following: in designated areas of

Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, a

40-day season with a 2-bird daily bag

limit between November 15 and January

14 and the continuation of existing

experimental 30-day special late seasons

with a 5-bird daily bag limit between

January 15 and February 15; in

designated areas of New York, a 70-day

season with 2-bird daily bag limit

between November 15 and January 31;

in designated areas of North Carolina, a

46-day season with a 2-bird daily bag

limit between October 1 and November

15; in West Virginia, a 70-day season

with a 3-bird daily bag limit between

October 1 and January 31; in South

Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, a 70-day

season with a 5-bird daily bag limit

between October 1 and February 15.

The Service does not support the

Council’s request for a regular season in

Maine because a management plan for

Maritime Canada geese has not been

developed. The Service believes that it

would be inconsistent to establish a

season without having a management

plan for the entire New England area.

Therefore, the Service again asks that

the Council work to develop a

management plan for Maritime Canada

geese.

The Service recognizes

Pennsylvania’s concerns regarding the

complicated configurations of Canada

goose hunting regulations in different

areas of the State and believes that these

regulations should be reviewed and

simplified to the extent possible.

However, the Service does not agree that

a regular season on resident Canada

geese should be established in most

areas that are more liberal than those

prescribed by the SJBP Management

Plan. Presently, the Service has not

established migrate-free regular seasons

in any Flyway. Furthermore, the regular

season request approved by the Atlantic

Flyway included areas in other states

that are harvesting SJBP geese. Also,

several of these areas, including

portions of Pennsylvania, have special

late seasons specifically designed to

harvest resident Canada geese. These
50664 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

seasons remain experimental and

continue to be evaluated. The Service

encourages the Atlantic Flyway Council

to continue its review of harvest

strategies for specific populations of

Canada geese, and to update

management plans and simplify

regulations wherever possible.

The Service concurs with the changes

proposed by the Pacific Flyway Council.

C. Special Late Seasons

Council Recommendations: The

Atlantic Flyway Council recommended

that New York be allowed to expand its

existing experimental late season area to

new areas along the north shore of Long

Island and in other areas of southeastern

New York.

The Upper-Region Regulations

Committee of the Mississippi Flyway

Council recommended a special late

season for four counties in Indiana. The

Committee also recommended that the

experimental special late season in

Michigan’s Southern Michigan Goose

Management Unit (GMU) be extended

for one additional year to allow

completion of the final report, and that

the bag limit be increased from 2 to 5.

The Committee further recommended a

new experimental late season be

initiated in the Central Michigan GMU

with a 5-bird daily bag limit.

The Lower-Region Regulations

Committee of the Mississippi Flyway

Council recommended that in areas

where Canada goose populations of

special concern exist, the Service

should closely monitor any cumulative

effects that special seasons may have on

non-target populations.

The Pacific Flyway Council

recommended several changes in the

special late-season frameworks. In

southwest Washington, the Council

recommended increasing the bag and

possession limits on cackling Canada

geese from 2/4 to 3/6, respectively, in

the late season. Regarding dusky Canada

geese, the Council recommended

changing the late-season framework

opening date to January 24 in

Washington’s Lower Columbia River

Special Goose Management Area.

Written Comments: An individual

from Massachusetts requested a special

late season for Canada geese on Cape

Cod.

The Humane Society opposed special

late seasons targeting resident geese.

They believe that such hunts fail to

target the populations ostensibly

responsible for conflicts with humans

and as such are ineffective.

Service Response: The Service

concurs with the Atlantic Flyway

Council’s recommendation to expand

New York’s existing late season to new

areas of Long Island and southeastern

New York.

Regarding the Mississippi Flyway

Council’s Upper-Region Regulations

Committee recommendation to allow an

experimental special late Canada goose

season in four counties in Indiana

beginning in 1997, the Service does not

support the experimental season. The

criteria for special seasons require two

years of data collection prior to the

beginning of an experiment and that the

data demonstrate that the season likely

will meet the criterion regarding

proportion of migrants in the specialseason harvest. Of the four counties

proposed, no data were presented for

one county and only one year of data for

another. The limited data available (a

total of only 12 collars were seen, 3 of

which were migrant collars) indicate

that about 25 percent of the harvest

would be migrant geese, which exceeds

the 20 percent level in the specialseason criteria. The Service concurs

with the recommendations for

Michigan’s special late seasons. The

Service notes the concern expressed by

the Mississippi Flyway Council’s

Lower-Region Regulations Committee

about the cumulative effects of specialseason harvests and will continue to

monitor those harvests in all areas.

The Service concurs with the changes

proposed by the Pacific Flyway Council.

5. White-fronted geese

Council Recommendations: The

Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations

Committees of the Mississippi Flyway

Council recommended extending the

season length from 70 to 86 days and

changing the framework closing date

from January 31 to February 15.

The Pacific Flyway Council

recommends that hunting frameworks

for 1997–98 be changed by adding 14

days and 1 bird to the daily bag and

possession limits for dark geese in the

Balance-of-the-State Zone in California.

Written Comments: An individual

from Louisiana recommended a 75- to

80-day season with a 3-dark goose limit

including no more than 1 Canada goose.

Service Response: The Service will

continue use of the same frameworks as

last year in 1997–98. Greater whitefronted geese in the Central and

Mississippi Flyways previously have

been managed as separate segments of

the Mid-continent Population under

separate management plans. Recent

information has suggested that Midcontinent whitefronts should be

managed as one population, and

revision/combination of the

management plans into one plan is

under way. The Central Flyway Council

and Canada both are considering

liberalizations in harvest opportunity

for Mid-continent whitefronts, but are

delaying recommendations for such

changes until the new management plan

is in place. The Service believes that

changes in the Mississippi Flyway also

should be deferred until the new

management plan is in place, when all

recommendations for liberalizing

harvest opportunity can be considered

in light of the goals, objectives, and

harvest strategies in the new plan.

The Service concurs with the changes

proposed by the Pacific Flyway Council.

6. Brant

Council Recommendations: The

Atlantic Flyway Council recommended

a 50-day Atlantic brant season with a 2-

bird daily bag limit.

Written Comments: The New Jersey

Waterfowlers Association supported the

continued use of the Atlantic brant hunt

plan.

Service Response: The Service

concurs with the recommendation.

7. Snow and Ross’s Geese

Council Recommendations: The

Atlantic Flyway Council recommended

a daily bag and possession limit of 10

and 30, respectively.

The Lower Region Regulations

Committee of the Mississippi Flyway

Council recommended that in a further

effort to increase snow goose harvest,

the Service implement regulatory

changes, as suggested by the Arctic

Goose Joint Venture Management Board,

for the 1998–99 hunting season.

The Central Flyway Council

recommended a March 10 framework

closing date, except for the Rainwater

Basin Light Goose Area in Nebraska,

where the framework closing date

would vary according to an

experimental late-winter snow goose

hunting strategy proposed by the

Council. The Council also

recommended no limit on the number of

season splits in the East-tier States.

The Pacific Flyway Council

recommended expanding the possession

limit to twice the daily bag limit in the

Balance-of-the-State Zone in California.

Written Comments: The Rainwater

Basin Joint Venture Management Board

of the North American Waterfowl

Management Plan urged the Service to

consider the possibility of alternatives

to the hunting regulations of the last 2

years (complete closure of the Rainwater

Basin region after mid-February).

The National Wildlife Federation

agreed with the Service’s frameworks

intended to help reduce white goose

populations.

The Wildlife Management Institute

supported the need to reduce
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 50665

populations of snow geese which are

creating habitat problems on northern

breeding areas. They further recognized

that customary approaches to harvest

have not controlled populations and

that more innovative actions may be

necessary.

An individual from Louisiana

recommended a 12-bird limit. Other

individuals from Louisiana, Kansas, and

Missouri recommended allowing the

use of electronic calls to hunt snow

geese. Another individual from

Arkansas recommended the use of rifles

for snow geese. Several individuals from

Iowa recommended allowing a later and

longer hunt in the spring. An individual

from Texas recommended allowing the

use of lead shot.

Service Response: The Service

concurs with the Atlantic Flyway

Council’s recommendation to increase

the daily bag and possession limits on

snow geese. The Service believes that

the extension of the ending framework

date for hunting of light geese until

March 10 in Nebraska’s Rainwater Basin

Area may pose a threat to the

management and welfare of other

migratory bird species during the spring

migration period. In response to these

concerns, the Central Flyway Council

proposed an experimental late-winter

hunting strategy in the eastern portion

of this important spring staging area.

This proposal contains the use of both

temporal and spacial constraints on

hunting activity and results in a hunting

strategy that would allow for evaluation

of any negative impacts related to

disturbance and distribution of other

migratory birds, disease management,

eco-tourism, and endangered species.

The Service supports this experimental

strategy, provided a mutually-acceptable

evaluation component is developed and

implemented. The Service will

cooperate with the Nebraska Game and

Parks Commission to develop and

complete assessments of this

experimental strategy.

The Service does not support the

Central Flyway proposal for East Tier

States that would allow for an unlimited

number of splits during light goose

seasons. Alternatively, the Service

supports increasing the allowed number

of season segments from 2 to 3. This

increase would result in a more

consistent use of split-season options

among all flyways. The Service also

believes that the ability to divide light

goose seasons into 3 segments provides

adequate flexibility to use the current

season length of 107 days.

The Service concurs with the changes

proposed by the Pacific Flyway Council.

Regarding the recommendations from

several commenters on expanding the

allowable hunting methods for snow

geese, the Service recognizes the

problems associated with overpopulation of Mid-continent snow geese

and believes that some management

actions, including modification of the

basic regulations, may be appropriate.

However before any such modifications

to the basic regulations, the Service

must conduct a thorough public review

process.

8. Swans

Written Comments: The Humane

Society requested that the Service close

all swan hunting seasons, citing that

tundra swan seasons were impeding, if

not preventing, winter range expansion

and recovery of trumpeter swans.

Service Response: The Service would

refer the Humane Society to our detailed

response in the September 27, 1995,

Federal Register (60 FR 50042)

concerning the establishment of a

general swan season. Enhancing Rocky

Mounting Population trumpeter swan

range expansion while retaining most

aspects of tundra swan hunting were

covered in detail in our 1995

Environmental Assessment ‘‘Proposal to

Establish General Swan Seasons in Parts

of the Pacific Flyway for the 1995–99

Seasons’’ (August 1995) which

compares various alternative strategies

for reconciling conflicting swan

management strategies. Copies are

available from the Service at the address

indicated under the caption ADDRESSES.

23. Other

A. Compensatory Days

Council Recommendations: The

Atlantic Flyway Council requested the

Service grant compensatory days for

States in their Flyway that are closed to

waterfowl hunting statewide on Sunday

by State law. The Council’s requested

compensatory days would apply to

waterfowl seasons only and not to other

migratory game birds. The request

includes the States of Connecticut,

Delaware, Maine, Maryland,

Massachusetts, New Jersey, North

Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and

West Virginia. The Council believes that

granting this request at this time will

allow integration of these changes into

AHM evaluations of harvest rates in the

Flyway and selection of appropriate

regulatory alternatives.

Public-Hearing Comments: Mr. Robert

McDowell, representing the Atlantic

Flyway Council, offered to modify the

Flyway’s original request for

compensatory days to states closed to

Sunday hunting by restricting it to only

those states with existing statewide

prohibitions in place prior to its

implementation. This action prevents

any states from enacting new laws to

close Sunday hunting in order to be

eligible for compensatory days.

Written Comments: The South

Carolina Department of Natural

Resources asserted that Sunday closures

of waterfowl hunting are State issues

and should not be addressed by the

Service. South Carolina further asserted

that if the Service grants compensatory

days to States that are currently closed

on Sundays by State law, then

compensatory days should also be

granted to States that enact Sunday

closures in the future. In a subsequent

letter, South Carolina asserted that the

Service’s action was arbitrary and

capricious and in violation of the First

Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

The Georgia Department of Natural

Resources objected to the Service

offering compensatory days to States in

the Atlantic Flyway with Sunday

closures. They believed that this was a

State issue and, as such, the Federal

government should not be involved.

They further believed that each State

should change any applicable selfimposed restrictions relating to Sunday

hunting closures and that involving

Federal procedures to circumvent State

laws sets a bad precedent that could

open the door for further involvement in

future unresolved issues.

The Delaware Division of Fish and

Wildlife (Delaware) recommended the

Service grant compensatory days in lieu

of Sunday hunting on a 1 for 1 basis to

restricted States with no penalty to

unrestricted States. In a subsequent

letter, Delaware thanked the Service for

proposing to grant compensatory days to

those States and believed that the issue

was more symbolic than biological.

Further, Delaware did not believe that

any significant change in harvest would

result.

The Maryland Department of Natural

Resources (Maryland) requested that the

Service grant compensatory days to the

10 Atlantic Flyway States that are

closed to waterfowl hunting on Sunday

by State law. They believe that

compensatory days would enable these

States to equally share in the

recreational benefits derived from the

Flyway’s waterfowl resource. Maryland

supported the Federal closure of Sunday

for the taking of wild waterfowl if the

Service deemed this approach necessary

to provide compensatory days.

However, Maryland requested the

Service give consideration to the current

Sunday hunting exception Maryland

grants falconers.

The New Jersey Division of Fish,

Game and Wildlife (New Jersey)
50666 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

requested the Service grant

compensatory days for States in their

Flyway that are closed to waterfowl

hunting statewide on Sunday by State

law. New Jersey’s requested

compensatory days would apply to

waterfowl seasons only and not to other

migratory game birds. The

compensatory request includes the

States of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine,

Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey,

North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia,

and West Virginia.

The Massachusetts Division of

Fisheries and Wildlife and the

Pennsylvania Game Commission

supported the Service’s proposal to

allow compensatory days to those States

prohibited from hunting on Sundays.

They believed that compensatory days

would address the issue of inequality in

hunting opportunities that exist in the

Atlantic Flyway.

The North American Falconers

Association and several individuals

from Maryland questioned the need to

close Sundays to the take of all

migratory waterfowl, including falconry,

in order to provide compensatory

hunting days to those States prohibiting

Sunday hunting.

The Concerned Coastal Sportsmen’s

Association of Massachusetts supported

and commended the Service for offering

States in the Atlantic Flyway that now

prohibit Sunday hunting compensatory

hunting days. An individual from

Massachusetts supported offering States

that now prohibit Sunday hunting

compensatory hunting days.

The Humane Society opposed

granting compensatory days in those

Atlantic Flyway states where Sunday

hunting is prohibited. The Humane

Society believed that hunters in those

States should work for the passage of

legislation to change State law regarding

Sunday closures rather than requesting

that the Service compensate them.

Service Response: In 1995, the Service

committed to working with the Atlantic

Flyway Council to review and better

clarify the issue of compensatory days

for those States prohibiting Sunday

hunting in an attempt to resolve this

long-standing issue. In the past, the

Service has maintained the policy that

this problem is an individual State

issue, to be resolved by each State

removing their self-imposed restrictions.

However, recognizing the difficulties

involved with changing State law, the

Service is sympathetic to the loss of

hunting opportunity that results from

the existing prohibitions on Sunday

hunting. A recent Service assessment

suggests that compensatory days for

Sunday closures will result in a slight

increase in the harvest rates of mallards

breeding in eastern Canada and the

northeastern U.S., which would be

accompanied by a small decrease in

average breeding population size. A

similar effect is expected on other

species. Thus, after examining the

various technical and policy concerns,

the Service believes that any additional

harvest impacts can be adjusted by

changing regulatory frameworks where

needed and that various administrative

and procedural concerns can be

managed. Therefore, during the 1997–98

hunting season, the Service will offer

compensatory days to States in

accordance to the following guidelines:

(1) Only States in the Atlantic Flyway

that prohibit Sunday hunting Statewide

by State law prior to 1997 are eligible

(Connecticut, Delaware, Maine,

Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey,

North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia,

and West Virginia); (2) All Sundays will

be closed to all take (including extended

falconry) of migratory waterfowl

(including mergansers and coots) by

Federal rulemaking. Other migratory

game species are not eligible for

compensatory days; (3) Season days

must run consecutively within

prescribed framework dates and season

length, excluding the Sunday closure,

and conform to existing split-season

criteria. Total season days (including

extended falconry) must not exceed 107

days.

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 EPA on June 9, 1988.

The Service published a Notice of

Availability in the June 16, 1988,

Federal Register (53 FR 22582). The

Service published its Record of Decision

on August 18, 1988 (53 FR 31341).

Copies of these documents are available

from the Service at the address

indicated under the caption ADDRESSES.

Endangered Species Act Consideration

As in the past, the Service designs

hunting regulations to remove or

alleviate chances of conflict between

migratory game bird hunting seasons

and the protection and conservation of

endangered and threatened species.

Consultations have been conducted to

ensure that actions resulting from these

regulatory proposals will not likely

jeopardize the continued existence of

endangered or threatened species or

result in the destruction or adverse

modification of their critical habitat.

Findings from these consultations are

included in a biological opinion and

may cause modification of some

regulatory measures previously

proposed. The final frameworks reflect

any modifications. The Service’s

biological opinions resulting from its

Section 7 consultation are public

documents available for public

inspection in the Service’s Division of

Endangered Species and MBMO, at the

address indicated under the caption

ADDRESSES.

Executive Order (E.O.) 12866

This rule is economically significant

and was reviewed by the Office of

Management and Budget (OMB) under

E.O. 12866.

Congressional Review

In accordance with Section 251 of the

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement

Fairness Act of 1996 (5 U.S.C. 8), this

rule has been submitted to Congress and

has been declared major. Because this

rule establishes hunting seasons, this

rule qualifies for an exemption under 5

U.S.C. 808(1); therefore, the Department

determines that this rule shall take

effect immediately.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

These regulations have a significant

economic impact on a substantial

number of small entities under the

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

et seq). In the March 13, 1997, Federal

Register, the Service reported measures

it took to comply with requirements of

the Act. One measure was to prepare a

Small Entity Flexibility Analysis

(Analysis) in 1996 documenting the

significant beneficial economic effect on

a substantial number of small entities.

The Analysis estimated that migratory

bird hunters would spend between $254

and $592 million at small businesses in

1996. Copies of the Analysis are

available upon request from the MBMO.

Paperwork Reduction Act

The Department examined these

regulations under the Paperwork

Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C.

3507(d)). Under the Act, information

collections must be approved by the

Office of Management and Budget

(OMB). The Service uses the various

information collection requirements

contained in this rule to develop future

migratory game bird hunting

regulations. Specifically, the

information collection requirements of

the Migratory Bird Harvest Information

Program have been approved by OMB

and assigned clearance number 1018–

0015. This information is used to

provide a sampling frame for voluntary
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 50667

national surveys to improve Service

harvest estimates for all migratory game

birds in order to better manage these

populations.

Regulations Promulgation

The rulemaking process for migratory

game bird hunting must, by its nature,

operate under severe time constraints.

However, the Service intends that the

public be given the greatest possible

opportunity to comment on the

regulations. Thus, when the preliminary

proposed rulemaking was published,

the Service established what it believed

were the longest periods possible for

public comment. In doing this, the

Service 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,

the States would have insufficient time

to select season dates and limits; to

communicate those selections to the

Service; and to establish and publicize

the necessary regulations and

procedures to implement their

decisions.

Therefore, the Service, under

authority of the Migratory Bird Treaty

Act (July 3, 1918), as amended, (16

U.S.C. 703–711), prescribes 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 may select hunting season dates

and other options. Upon receipt of

season and option selections from these

officials, the Service will publish in the

Federal Register a final rulemaking

amending 50 CFR part 20 to reflect

seasons, limits, and shooting hours for

the conterminous United States for the

1997–98 season. The Service therefore

finds 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.

Unfunded Mandates

The Service has determined and

certifies in compliance with the

requirements of the Unfunded Mandates

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.

Civil Justice Reform—Executive Order

12988

The Department, in promulgating this

rule, has determined that these

regulations meet the applicable

standards provided in Sections 3(a) and

3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988.

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 1997–98 hunting

season are authorized under 16 U.S.C.

703–711, 16 U.S.C. 712, and 16 U.S.C.

742 a—j.

Dated: September 12, 1997.

Donald Barry,

Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish and

Wildlife and Parks.

Final Regulations Frameworks for

1997–98 Late Hunting Seasons on

Certain Migratory Game Birds

Pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty

Act and delegated authorities, the

Department has approved frameworks

for season lengths, shooting hours, bag

and possession limits, and outside dates

within which States may select seasons

for hunting waterfowl and coots

between the dates of September 1, 1997,

and March 10, 1998.

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.

Definitions: For the purpose of

hunting regulations listed below, the

collective terms ‘‘dark’’ and ‘‘light’’

geese include the following species:

Dark geese - Canada geese, whitefronted geese, brant, and all other goose

species except light geese.

Light geese - snow (including blue)

geese and Ross’ geese.

Area, Zone, and Unit Descriptions:

Geographic descriptions related to lateseason regulations are contained in a

later portion of this document.

Area-Specific Provisions: Frameworks

for open seasons, season lengths, bag

and possession limits, and other special

provisions are listed below by Flyway.

Compensatory Days in the Atlantic

Flyway: In the Atlantic Flyway States of

Connecticut, Delaware, Maine,

Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey,

North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia,

and West Virginia, where Sunday

hunting is prohibited statewide by State

law, all Sundays are closed to all take

of migratory waterfowl (including

mergansers and coots).

Atlantic Flyway

The 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.

Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots

Outside Dates: Between October 1 and

January 20.

Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: 60

days and daily bag limit of 6 ducks,

including no more than 4 mallards (2

hens), 1 black duck, 3 pintails, 1

mottled duck, 1 fulvous whistling duck,

2 wood ducks, 2 redheads, and 1

canvasback.

Closures: The season on harlequin

ducks is closed.

Sea Ducks: In all areas outside of

special sea duck areas, sea ducks are

included in the regular duck daily bag

and possession limits. However, during

the regular duck season within the

special sea duck areas, the sea duck

daily bag and possession limits may be

in addition to the regular duck daily bag

and possession limits.

Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit

of mergansers is 5, only 1 of which may

be a hooded merganser.

Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15

coots.

Lake Champlain Zone, New York: The

waterfowl seasons, limits, and shooting

hours shall be the same as those

selected for the Lake Champlain Zone of

Vermont.

Zoning and Split Seasons: Delaware,

Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North

Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina,

and Virginia may split their seasons into

three segments; Connecticut, Maine,

Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New

Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania,

Vermont, and West Virginia may select

hunting seasons by zones and may split

their seasons into two segments in each

zone.

Canada Geese

Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and

Limits: The Canada goose season is

suspended throughout the Flyway

except as noted below. Unless specified

otherwise, seasons may be split into two

segments.

Connecticut: A special experimental

season may be held in the South Zone

between January 15 and February 15,

with 5 geese per day.

Florida: A 70 day season may be held

between November 15 to February 15,

with 5 geese per day.

Georgia: In specific areas, a 70-day

season may be held between November
50668 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

15 and February 15, with a limit of 5

Canada geese per day.

Maryland: In designated areas, a 40-

day season may be held between

November 15 to January 14, with 2 geese

per day. An experimental season in

designated areas of western Maryland

may be held from January 15 to

February 15, with 5 geese per day.

Massachusetts: In the Central Zone

and a portion of the Coastal Zone, a

season may be held from January 15 to

February 15, with 5 geese per day.

New Jersey: An experimental season

may be held in designated areas of

North and South New Jersey from

January 15 to February 15, with 5 geese

per day.

New York: In designated areas, a 70-

day season may be held between

November 15 to January 30, with 2 geese

per day. An experimental season may be

held between January 15 and February

15, with 5 geese daily in designated

areas of Chemung, Tioga, Broome,

Sullivan, Westchester, Nassau, Suffolk,

Orange, Dutchess, Putnam, and

Rockland Counties.

North Carolina: A 46-day season may

be held between October 1 and

November 15, with 2 geese per day

Statewide, except for the Northeast

Hunt Unit and Northampton County.

Pennsylvania: In designated areas, a

40-day season may be held between

November 15 to January 14, with 2 geese

per day. In Erie, Mercer, and Butler

Counties, a 70-day season may be held

between October 1 and January 31, with

2 geese per day. In Crawford County, a

35-day season may be held between

October 1 and January 20, with 1 goose

per day.

An experimental season may be held

in the designated areas of western

Pennsylvania from January 15 to

February 15 with 5 geese per day.

Rhode Island: An experimental season

may be held in a designated area from

January 15 to February 15, with 5 geese

per day,

South Carolina: In designated areas, a

70-day season may be held during

November 15 to February 15, with a

daily bag limit of 5 Canada geese per

day.

Virginia: In designated areas, a 40-day

season may be held between November

15 to January 14, with 2 geese per day.

An experimental season may be held

between January 15 to February 15, with

5 geese per day, in all areas west of

Interstate 95.

West Virginia: a 70-day season may be

held between October 1 and January 31,

with 3 geese per day.

Light Geese

Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and

Limits: States may select a 107-day

season between October 1 and March

10, with 10 geese per day and 30 in

possession. States may split their

seasons into three segments.

Brant

Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and

Limits: States may select a 50-day

season between October 1 and January

20, with 2 brant per day. States may

split their seasons into two segments.

Mississippi Flyway

The Mississippi Flyway includes

Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana,

Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan,

Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio,

Tennessee, and Wisconsin.

Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots

Outside Dates: Between the Saturday

nearest October 1 (October 4) and the

Sunday nearest January 20 (January 18).

Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: 60

days with a daily bag limit of 6 ducks,

including no more than 4 mallards (no

more than 2 of which may be females),

3 mottled ducks, 1 black duck, 3

pintails, 2 wood ducks, 1 canvasback,

and 2 redheads.

Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit

is 5, only 1 of which may be a hooded

merganser.

Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15

coots.

Zoning and Split Seasons: Alabama,

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky,

Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi,

Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and

Wisconsin may select hunting seasons

by zones.

In Alabama, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky,

Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Ohio,

Tennessee, and Wisconsin, the season

may be split into two segments in each

zone.

In Minnesota and Arkansas, the

season may be split into three segments.

Pymatuning Reservoir Area, Ohio:

The seasons, limits, and shooting hours

shall be the same as those selected in

the adjacent portion of Pennsylvania

(Northwest Zone).

Geese

Split Seasons: Seasons for geese may

be split into three segments. Three-way

split seasons for Canada geese require

Mississippi Flyway Council and U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service approval, and

a 3-year evaluation, by each

participating State.

Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and

Limits: States may select seasons for

geese not to exceed 70 days for dark

geese between the Saturday nearest

October 1 (October 4) and January 31,

and 107 days for light geese between the

Saturday nearest October 1 (October 4)

and March 10. The daily bag limit is 10

light geese, 3 Canada geese, 2 whitefronted geese, and 2 brant. The

possession limit for light geese is 30.

Specific regulations for Canada geese

and exceptions to the above general

provisions are shown below by State.

Alabama: In the Southern James Bay

Population (SJBP) Goose Zone, the

season for Canada geese may not exceed

35 days. Elsewhere, the season for

Canada geese may extend for 70 days in

the respective duck-hunting zones. The

daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

Arkansas: The season for Canada

geese may extend for 23 days in the East

Zone and 16 days in the West Zone. In

both zones, the season may extend to

February 15. The daily bag limit is 2

Canada geese. In the remainder of the

State, the season for Canada geese is

closed.

Illinois: The total harvest of Canada

geese in the State will be limited to

74,600 birds. Limits are 2 Canada geese

daily and 10 in possession.

(a) North Zone - The season for

Canada geese will close after 78 days or

when 8,400 birds have been harvested

in the Northern Illinois Quota Zone,

whichever occurs first.

(b) Central Zone - The season for

Canada geese will close after 78 days or

when 12,500 birds have been harvested

in the Central Illinois Quota Zone,

whichever occurs first.

(c) South Zone - The harvest of

Canada geese in the Southern Illinois

and Rend Lake Quota Zones will be

limited to 26,400 and 5,700 birds,

respectively. The season for Canada

geese in each zone will close after 78

days or when the harvest limit has been

reached, whichever occurs first. In the

Southern Illinois Quota Zone, if any of

the following conditions exist after

December 20, the State, after

consultation with the Service, will close

the season by emergency order with 48

hours notice:

(1) Average body weights of adult female

geese less than 3,200 grams as measured from

a weekly sample of a minimum of 50 geese.

(2) Starvation or a major disease outbreak

resulting in observed mortality exceeding

5,000 birds in 10 days, or a total mortality

exceeding 10,000 birds.

In the remainder of the South Zone,

the season may extend for 78 days or

until both the Southern Illinois and

Rend Lake Quota Zones have been

closed, whichever occurs first.

Indiana: The total harvest of Canada

geese in the State will be limited to

19,200 birds.
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 50669

(a) Posey County - The season for

Canada geese will close after 65 days or

when 3,450 birds have been harvested,

or when the harvest at the Hovey Lake

Fish and Wildlife Area exceeds 1,725

birds, whichever occurs first. The daily

bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

(b) Remainder of the State - The

season for Canada geese may extend for

65 days in the respective duck-hunting

zones, except in the SJBP Zone, where

the season may not exceed 35 days. The

daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

Iowa: The season may extend for 70

days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada

geese.

Kentucky

(a) Western Zone - The season for

Canada geese may extend for 66 days

(81 days in Fulton County), and the

harvest will be limited to 16,500 birds.

Of the 16,500-bird quota, 10,750 birds

will be allocated to the Ballard

Reporting Area and 3,135 birds will be

allocated to the Henderson/Union

Reporting Area. If the quota in either

reporting area is reached prior to

completion of the 66-day season, the

season in that reporting area will be

closed. If this occurs, the season in

those counties and portions of counties

outside of, but associated with, the

respective subzone (listed in State

regulations) may continue for an

additional 7 days, not to exceed a total

of 66 days (81 days in Fulton County).

The season in Fulton County may

extend to February 15. The daily bag

limit is 2 Canada geese.

(b) Pennyroyal/Coalfield Zone - The

season may extend for 35 days. The

daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

(c) Remainder of the State - The

season may extend for 50 days. The

daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

Louisiana: The season for Canada

geese may extend for 9 days. During the

season, the daily bag limit for Canada

and white-fronted geese is 2, no more

than 1 of which may be a Canada goose.

Hunters participating in the Canada

goose season must possess a special

permit issued by the State.

Michigan: The total harvest of Canada

geese in the State will be limited to

41,700 birds.

(a) North Zone - The season for

Canada geese may extend for 16 days.

The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

(b) Middle Zone - The season for

Canada geese may extend for 16 days.

The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

(c) South Zone

(1) Allegan County GMU - The season

for Canada geese will close after 41 days

or when 1,760 birds have been

harvested, whichever occurs first. The

daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.

(2) Muskegon Wastewater GMU - The

season for Canada geese will close after

43 days or when 560 birds have been

harvested, whichever occurs first. The

daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

(3) Saginaw County GMU - The

season for Canada geese will close after

50 days or when 2,000 birds have been

harvested, whichever occurs first. The

daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.

(4) Tuscola/Huron GMU - The season

for Canada geese will close after 50 days

or when 750 birds have been harvested,

whichever occurs first. The daily bag

limit is 1 Canada goose.

(5) Remainder of South Zone - The

season for Canada geese may extend for

20 days. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada

goose the first 9 days and 2 Canada

geese thereafter.

(d) Southern Michigan GMU - An

experimental special Canada goose

season may be held between January 3

and February 1. The daily bag limit is

5 Canada geese.

(e) Central Michigan GMU - An

experimental special Canada goose

season may be held between January 3

and February 1. The daily bag limit is

5 Canada geese.

Minnesota:

(a) West Zone

(1) West Central Zone - The season for

Canada geese may extend for 30 days. In

the Lac Qui Parle Zone, the season will

close after 30 days or when 16,000 birds

have been harvested, whichever occurs

first. Throughout the West Central Zone,

the daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.

(2) Remainder of West Zone - The

season for Canada geese may extend for

40 days. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada

goose.

(b) Northwest Zone - The season for

Canada geese may extend for 40 days.

The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.

(c) Remainder of the State - The

season for Canada geese may extend for

70 days, except in the Twin Cities Metro

Zone and Olmsted County, where the

season may not exceed 80 days. The

daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

(d) Fergus Falls/Alexandria Zone - A

special Canada goose season of up to 10

days may be held in December. During

the special season, the daily bag limit is

2 Canada geese.

Mississippi: The season for Canada

geese may extend for 70 days. The daily

bag limit is 3 Canada geese.

Missouri

(a) Swan Lake Zone - The season for

Canada geese may extend for 40 days.

The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

(b) Schell-Osage Zone - The season for

Canada geese may extend for 40 days.

The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

(c) Remainder of the State - The

season for Canada geese may extend for

70 days in the respective duck-hunting

zones. The season may be split into 3

segments, provided that one segment of

at least 9 days occurs prior to October

15. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada

geese.

Ohio: The season may extend for 70

days in the respective duck-hunting

zones, with a daily bag limit of 2 Canada

geese, except in the Lake Erie SJBP

Zone, where the season may not exceed

30 days and the daily bag limit is 1

Canada goose. In the Pymatuning

Reservoir Area, the seasons, limits, and

shooting hours for all geese shall be the

same as those selected in the adjacent

portion of Pennsylvania.

Tennessee

(a) Northwest Zone - The season for

Canada geese will close after 79 days or

when 6,150 birds have been harvested,

whichever occurs first. The season may

extend to February 15. The daily bag

limit is 2 Canada geese.

(b) Southwest Zone - The season for

Canada geese may extend for 64 days,

and the harvest will be limited to 750

birds. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada

geese.

(c) Kentucky/Barkley Lakes Zone -

The season for Canada geese will close

after 50 days or when 1,800 birds have

been harvested, whichever occurs first.

All geese harvested must be tagged. The

daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese. In lieu

of the quota and tagging requirement

above, the State may select either a 50-

day season with a 1-bird daily bag limit

or a 35-day season with a 2-bird daily

bag limit for this Zone.

(d) Remainder of the State - The

season for Canada geese may extend for

70 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada

geese.

Wisconsin: The total harvest of

Canada geese in the State will be limited

to 55,700 birds.

(a) Horicon Zone - The framework

opening date for all geese is September

20. The harvest of Canada geese is

limited to 27,600 birds. The season may

not exceed 93 days. All Canada geese

harvested must be tagged. The daily bag

limit is 1 Canada goose and the season

limit will be the number of tags issued

to each permittee.

(b) Collins Zone - The framework

opening date for all geese is September

20. The harvest of Canada geese is

limited to 900 birds. The season may

not exceed 68 days. All Canada geese

harvested must be tagged. The daily bag

limit is 1 Canada goose and the season

limit will be the number of tags issued

to each permittee.

(c) Exterior Zone - The framework

opening date for all geese is September

27. The harvest of Canada geese is

limited to 22,700 birds, with 500 birds
50670 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

allocated to the Mississippi River

Subzone. The season may not exceed 93

days and the daily bag limit is 1 Canada

goose. In that portion of the Exterior

Zone outside the Mississippi River

Subzone, the progress of the harvest

must be monitored, and the season

closed, if necessary, to ensure that the

harvest does not exceed 22,200 birds.

Additional Limits: In addition to the

harvest limits stated for the respective

zones above, an additional 4,500 Canada

geese may be taken in the Horicon Zone

under special agricultural permits.

Quota Zone Closures: When it has

been determined that the quota of

Canada geese allotted to the Northern

Illinois, Central Illinois, Southern

Illinois, and Rend Lake Quota Zones in

Illinois, Posey County in Indiana, the

Ballard and Henderson-Union Subzones

in Kentucky, the Allegan County,

Muskegon Wastewater, Saginaw County,

and Tuscola/Huron Goose Management

Units in Michigan, the Lac Qui Parle

Zone in Minnesota, the Northwest and

Kentucky/Barkley Lakes (if applicable)

Zones in Tennessee, and the Exterior

Zone in Wisconsin will have been filled,

the season for taking Canada geese in

the respective zone (and associated area,

if applicable) will be closed by either

the Director upon giving public notice

through local information media at least

48 hours in advance of the time and

date of closing, or by the State through

State regulations with such notice and

time (not less than 48 hours) as they

deem necessary.

Central Flyway

The 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).

Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots

Outside Dates: Between October 4 and

January 18.

Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits:

(1) High Plains Mallard Management

Unit (roughly defined as that portion of

the Central Flyway which lies west of

the 100th meridian): 97 days and a daily

bag limit of 6 ducks, including no more

than 5 mallards (2 hens), 1 mottled

duck, 1 canvasback, 2 redheads, 2 wood

ducks, and 3 pintails. The last 23 days

may start no earlier than the Saturday

nearest December 10 (December 13).

(2) Remainder of the Central Flyway:

74 days and a daily bag limit of 6 ducks,

including no more than 5 mallards (2

hens), 1 mottled duck, 1 canvasback, 2

redheads, 2 wood ducks, and 3 pintails.

Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit

is 5 mergansers, only 1 of which may be

a hooded merganser.

Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15

coots.

Zoning and Split Seasons: Kansas

(Low Plains portion), Montana,

Nebraska (Low Plains portion), New

Mexico, Oklahoma (Low Plains portion),

South Dakota (Low Plains portion),

Texas (Low Plains portion), and

Wyoming may select hunting seasons by

zones.

In Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, New

Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South

Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming, the

regular season may be split into two

segments.

In Colorado, the season may be split

into three segments.

Geese

Split Seasons: Seasons for geese may

be split into three segments. Three-way

split seasons for Canada geese require

Central Flyway Council and U.S. Fish

and Wildlife Service approval, and a 3-

year evaluation, by each participating

State.

Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and

Limits: States may select seasons not to

exceed 107 days; except for dark geese,

which may not exceed 86 days in

Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota,

Oklahoma, South Dakota, and the

Eastern Goose Zone of Texas. For dark

geese, outside dates for seasons may be

selected between the Saturday nearest

October 1 (October 4) and January 31,

except in the Western Goose Zone of

Texas, where the closing date is the

Sunday nearest February 15 (February

15). For light geese, outside dates for

seasons may be selected between the

Saturday nearest October 1 (October 4)

and March 10, except in the Rainwater

Basin Light Goose Area of Nebraska

where the closing date is February 1 in

the West and March 10 in the East with

temporal and spatial restrictions

consistent with the experimental latewinter snow goose hunting strategy

endorsed by the Central Flyway Council

in July 1997. The daily bag and

possession limits for light geese are 10

and 40, respectively.

Dark goose daily bag limits in States

and goose management zones within

States, may be as follows:

Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and

South Dakota: 2 dark geese, including

no more than 1 white-fronted goose.

Colorado, Montana, New Mexico and

Wyoming: 4 dark geese.

North Dakota: 2 dark geese.

Texas: For the Western Goose Zone,

the daily bag limit is 5 dark geese,

including no more than 1 white-fronted

and 4 Canada geese.

For the Eastern Goose Zone, the daily

bag limit is 2 dark geese, including no

more than 1 white-fronted goose.

Pacific Flyway

Ducks, Mergansers, Coots, and Common

Moorhens

Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits:

Concurrent 107 days and daily bag limit

of 7 ducks and mergansers, including no

more than 2 female mallards, 3 pintails,

2 redheads and 1 canvasback.

The season on coots and common

moorhens may be between the outside

dates for the season on ducks, but not

to exceed 107 days.

Coot and Common Moorhen Limits:

The daily bag and possession limits of

coots and common moorhens are 25,

singly or in the aggregate.

Outside Dates: Between the Saturday

nearest October 1 (October 4) and the

Sunday nearest January 20 (January 18).

Zoning and Split Seasons: Arizona,

California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah,

and Washington may select hunting

seasons by zones.

Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada,

Oregon, Utah, and Washington may

split their seasons into two segments.

Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, and

Wyoming may split their seasons into

three segments.

Colorado River Zone, California:

Seasons and limits shall be the same as

seasons and limits selected in the

adjacent portion of Arizona (South

Zone).

Geese

Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and

Limits: Except as subsequently noted,

100-day seasons may be selected, with

outside dates between the Saturday

nearest October 1 (October 4), and the

Sunday nearest January 20 (January 18),

and the basic daily bag limits are 3 light

geese and 4 dark geese, except in

California, Oregon, and Washington,

where the dark goose bag limit does not

include brant.

Split Seasons: Unless otherwise

specified, seasons for geese may be split

into up to 3 segments. Three-way split

seasons for Canada geese and whitefronted geese require Pacific Flyway

Council and U.S. Fish and Wildlife

Service approval and a 3-year

evaluation, by each participating State.

Brant Season - A 16-consecutive-day

season may be selected in Oregon and

Washington, and a 30-consecutive day

season may be selected in California. In

these States, the daily bag limit is 2
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 50671

brant and is in addition to dark goose

limits.

Closures: There will be no open

season on Aleutian Canada geese in the

Pacific Flyway. The States of California,

Oregon, and Washington must include a

statement on the closure for that

subspecies in their respective

regulations leaflet. Emergency closures

may be invoked for all Canada geese

should Aleutian Canada goose

distribution patterns or other

circumstances justify such actions.

Arizona: The daily bag limit for dark

geese is 2.

California

Northeastern Zone - White-fronted

geese and cackling Canada geese may be

taken only during the first 23 days of the

goose season. The daily bag limit is 3

geese and may include no more than 2

dark geese; including not more than 1

cackling Canada goose.

Colorado River Zone - The seasons

and limits must be the same as those

selected in the adjacent portion of

Arizona (South Zone).

Southern Zone - The daily bag and

possession limits for dark geese is 2

geese, including not more than 1

cackling Canada goose.

Balance-of-the-State Zone - A 79-day

season may be selected. Limits may not

include more than 3 geese per day and

6 in possession, of which not more than

2 daily and 4 in possession may be

white-fronted geese and not more than

1 daily or 2 in possession may be

cackling Canada geese.

Three areas in the Balance-of-theState Zone are restricted in the hunting

of certain geese:

(1) In the Counties of Del Norte and

Humboldt, there will be no open season

for Canada geese.

(2) In the Sacramento Valley Area, the

season on white-fronted geese must end

on or before December 14, and, except

in the Western Canada Goose Hunt

Area, there will be no open season for

Canada geese.

(3) In the San Joaquin Valley Area, the

hunting season for Canada geese will

close no later than November 23.

Colorado: The daily bag limit for dark

geese is 2 geese.

Idaho

Northern Unit - The daily bag limit is

4 geese, including 4 dark geese, but not

more than 3 light geese.

Southwest Unit and Southeastern

Unit - The daily bag limit on dark geese

is 4.

Montana

West of Divide Zone and East of

Divide Zone - The daily bag limit on

dark geese is 4.

Nevada

Lincoln and Clark County Zone - The

daily bag limit of dark geese is 2.

New Mexico: The daily bag limit for

dark geese is 3.

Oregon: Except as subsequently

noted, the dark goose limit is 4,

including not more than 1 cackling

Canada goose.

Harney, Lake, Klamath, and Malheur

Counties Zone - The season length may

be 100 days. The dark goose limit is 4,

including not more than 2 white-fronted

geese and 1 cackling Canada goose.

Western Zone - In the Special Canada

Goose Management Area, except for

designated areas, there shall be no open

season on Canada geese. In the

designated areas, individual quotas

shall be established which collectively

shall not exceed 165 dusky Canada

geese. See section on quota zones. In

those designated areas, the daily bag

limit of dark geese is 3 and may include

3 cackling Canada geese.

Utah: The daily bag limit for dark

geese is 2 geese.

Washington: The daily bag limit is 4

geese, including 4 dark geese but not

more than 3 light geese.

West Zone - In the Lower Columbia

River Special Goose Management Area,

except for designated areas, there shall

be no open season on Canada geese. In

the designated areas, individual quotas

shall be established which collectively

shall not exceed 85 dusky Canada geese.

See section on quota zones. In this area,

the daily bag limit of dark geese is 3 and

may include 3 cackling Canada geese.

Wyoming: The daily bag limit is 4

dark geese.

Quota Zones: Seasons on Canada

geese must end upon attainment of

individual quotas of dusky Canada

geese allotted to the designated areas of

Oregon and Washington. The September

Canada goose season, the regular goose

season, any special late Canada goose

season, and any extended falconry

season, combined, must not exceed 107

days and the established quota of dusky

Canada geese must not be exceeded.

Hunting of Canada geese in those

designated areas shall only be by

hunters possessing a State-issued permit

authorizing them to do so. In a Serviceapproved investigation, the State must

obtain quantitative information on

hunter compliance of those regulations

aimed at reducing the take of dusky

Canada geese and eliminating the take

of Aleutian Canada geese. The daily bag

limit of Canada geese may not include

more than 3 cackling Canada geese.

In the designated areas of the

Washington Quota Zone, a special late

Canada goose may be held between

January 24 and March 10. The daily bag

limit may not include Aleutian Canada

geese. In the Special Canada Goose

Management Area of Oregon, the

framework closing date is extended the

Sunday closest to March 1.

Swans

In designated areas of Utah, Nevada,

and the Pacific Flyway portion of

Montana, an open season for taking a

limited number of swans may be

selected. Permits will be issued by

States and will authorize each permittee

to take no more than 1 swan per season.

The season may open no earlier than the

Saturday nearest October 1 (October 4).

The States must implement a harvestmonitoring program to measure the

species composition of the swan

harvest. In Utah and Nevada, the

harvest-monitoring program must

require that all harvested swans or their

species-determinant parts be examined

by either State or Federal biologists for

the purpose of species classification. All

States should use appropriate measures

to maximize hunter compliance in

providing bagged swans for examination

or, in the case of Montana, reporting

bill-measurement and color information.

All States must provide to the Service

by June 30, 1998, a report covering

harvest, hunter participation, reporting

compliance, and monitoring of swan

populations in the designated hunt

areas. These seasons will be subject to

the following conditions:

In Utah, no more than 2,750 permits

may be issued. The season must end no

later than the first Sunday in December

(December 7) or upon attainment of 15

trumpeter swans in the harvest,

whichever occurs earliest.

In Nevada, no more than 650 permits

may be issued. The season must end no

later than the Sunday following January

1 (January 4) or upon attainment of 5

trumpeter swans in the harvest,

whichever occurs earliest.

In Montana, no more than 500 permits

may be issued. The season must end no

later than December 1.

Tundra Swans

In Central Flyway portion of Montana,

and in North Carolina, North Dakota,

South Dakota, and Virginia, an open

season for taking a limited number of

tundra swans may be selected. Permits

will be issued by the States and will

authorize each permittee to take no

more than 1 tundra swan per season.

The States must obtain harvest and

hunter participation data. These seasons

will be subject to the following

conditions:

In the Atlantic Flyway

—The season will be experimental.

—The season may be 90 days, from

October 1 to January 31.

—In North Carolina, no more than

5,000 permits may be issued.
50672 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

—In Virginia, no more than 600

permits may be issued.

In the Central Flyway

—The season may be 107 days and

must occur during the light goose

season.

—In the Central Flyway portion of

Montana, no more than 500 permits may

be issued.

—In North Dakota, no more than

2,000 permits may be issued.

—In South Dakota, no more than

1,500 permits may be issued.

Area, Unit and Zone Descriptions

Ducks (Including Mergansers) and Coots

Atlantic Flyway

Connecticut

North Zone: That portion of the State

north of I-95.

South Zone: Remainder of the State.

Maine

North Zone: That portion north of the

line extending east along Maine State

Highway 110 from the New Hampshire

and Maine border to the intersection of

Maine State Highway 11 in Newfield;

then north and east along Route 11 to

the intersection of U.S. Route 202 in

Auburn; then north and east on Route

202 to the intersection of Interstate

Highway 95 in Augusta; then north and

east along I-95 to Route 15 in Bangor;

then east along Route 15 to Route 9;

then east along Route 9 to Stony Brook

in Baileyville; then east along Stony

Brook to the United States border.

South Zone: Remainder of the State.

Massachusetts

Western Zone: That portion of the

State west of a line extending south

from the Vermont border on I-91 to MA

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

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

Connecticut border.

Central Zone: That portion of the

State east of the Berkshire Zone and

west of a line extending south from the

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

1, south on U.S. 1 to I-93, south on 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 shall be in the Coastal Zone.

Coastal Zone: That portion of

Massachusetts east and south of the

Central Zone.

New Hampshire

Coastal Zone: That portion of the

State east of a line extending west from

Maine border in Rollinsford on NH 4 to

the city of Dover, south to NH 108,

south along NH 108 through Madbury,

Durham, and Newmarket to NH 85 in

Newfields, south to NH 101 in Exeter,

east to NH 51 (Exeter-Hampton

Expressway), east to I-95 (New

Hampshire Turnpike) in Hampton, and

south along I-95 to the Massachusetts

border.

Inland Zone: That portion of the State

north and west of the above boundary.

New Jersey

Coastal Zone: That portion of the

State seaward of a line beginning at the

New York border in Raritan Bay and

extending west along the New York

border to NJ 440 at Perth Amboy; west

on NJ 440 to the Garden State Parkway;

south on the Garden State Parkway to

the shoreline at Cape May and

continuing to the Delaware border in

Delaware Bay.

North Zone: That portion of the State

west of the Coastal Zone and north of

a line extending west from the Garden

State Parkway on NJ 70 to the New

Jersey Turnpike, north on the turnpike

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

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

Pennsylvania border in the Delaware

River.

South Zone: That portion of the State

not within the North Zone or the Coastal

Zone.

New York

Lake Champlain Zone: The U.S.

portion of Lake Champlain and that area

east and north of a line extending along

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

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

Keesville; south along NY 22 to the west

shore of South Bay, along and around

the shoreline of South Bay to NY 22 on

the east shore of South Bay; southeast

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

U.S. 4 to the Vermont border.

Long Island Zone: That area

consisting of Nassau County, Suffolk

County, that area of Westchester County

southeast of I-95, and their tidal waters.

Western Zone: That area west of a line

extending from Lake Ontario east along

the north shore of the Salmon River to

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

Pennsylvania border.

Northeastern Zone: That area north of

a line extending from Lake Ontario east

along the north shore of the Salmon

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

east along NY 49 to NY 365, east along

NY 365 to NY 28, east along NY 28 to

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

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

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

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

Vermont border, exclusive of the Lake

Champlain Zone.

Southeastern Zone: The remaining

portion of New York.

Pennsylvania

Lake Erie Zone: The Lake Erie waters

of Pennsylvania and a shoreline margin

along Lake Erie from New York on the

east to Ohio on the west extending 150

yards inland, but including all of

Presque Isle Peninsula.

Northwest Zone: The area bounded on

the north by the Lake Erie Zone and

including all of Erie and Crawford

Counties and those portions of Mercer

and Venango Counties north of I-80.

North Zone: That portion of the State

east of the Northwest Zone and north of

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

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

South Zone: The remaining portion of

Pennsylvania.

Vermont

Lake Champlain Zone: The U.S.

portion of Lake Champlain and that area

north and west of the line extending

from the New York border along U.S. 4

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

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

border.

Interior Zone: The remaining portion

of Vermont.

West Virginia

Zone 1 : That portion outside the

boundaries in Zone 2.

Zone 2 (Allegheny Mountain Upland):

That area bounded by a line extending

south along U.S. 220 through Keyser to

U.S. 50; U.S. 50 to WV 93; WV 93 south

to WV 42; WV 42 south to Petersburg;

WV 28 south to Minnehaha Springs; WV

39 west to U.S. 219; U.S. 219 south to

I-64; I-64 west to U.S. 60; U.S. 60 west

to U.S. 19; U.S. 19 north to I-79, I-79

north to U.S. 48; U.S. 48 east to the

Maryland border; and along the border

to the point of beginning.

Mississippi Flyway

Alabama

South Zone: Mobile and Baldwin

Counties.

North Zone: The remainder of

Alabama.

Illinois

North Zone: That portion of the State

north of a line extending east from the

Iowa border along Illinois Highway 92

to Interstate Highway 280, east along I280 to I-80, then east along I-80 to the

Indiana border.

Central Zone: That portion of the

State south of the North Zone to a line

extending east from the Missouri border

along the Modoc Ferry route to Modoc

Ferry Road, east along Modoc Ferry

Road to Modoc Road, northeasterly

along Modoc Road and St. Leo’s Road to

Illinois Highway 3, north along Illinois

3 to Illinois 159, north along Illinois 159

to Illinois 161, east along Illinois 161 to

Illinois 4, north along Illinois 4 to

Interstate Highway 70, east along I-70 to
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 50673

the Bond County line, north and east

along the Bond County line to Fayette

County, north and east along the Fayette

County line to Effingham County, east

and south along the Effingham County

line to I-70, then east along I-70 to the

Indiana border.

South Zone: The remainder of Illinois.

Indiana

North Zone: That portion of the State

north of a line extending east from the

Illinois border along State Road 18 to

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

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

Huntington, then southeast along U.S.

224 to the Ohio border.

Ohio River Zone: That portion of the

State south of a line extending east from

the Illinois border along Interstate

Highway 64 to New Albany, east along

State Road 62 to State 56, east along

State 56 to Vevay, east and north on

State 156 along the Ohio River to North

Landing, north along State 56 to U.S.

Highway 50, then northeast along U.S.

50 to the Ohio border.

South Zone: That portion of the State

between the North and Ohio River Zone

boundaries.

Iowa

North Zone: That portion of the State

north of a line extending east from the

Nebraska border along State Highway

175 to State 37, southeast along State 37

to U.S. Highway 59, south along U.S. 59

to Interstate Highway 80, then east along

I-80 to the Illinois border.

South Zone: The remainder of Iowa.

Kentucky

West Zone: All counties west of and

including Butler, Daviess, Ohio,

Simpson, and Warren Counties.

East Zone: The remainder of

Kentucky.

Louisiana

West Zone: That portion of the State

west of a line extending south from the

Arkansas border along Louisiana

Highway 3 to Bossier City, east along

Interstate Highway 20 to Minden, south

along Louisiana 7 to Ringgold, east

along Louisiana 4 to Jonesboro, south

along U.S. Highway 167 to Lafayette,

southeast along U.S. 90 to Houma, then

south along the Houma Navigation

Channel to the Gulf of Mexico through

Cat Island Pass.

East Zone: The remainder of

Louisiana.

Catahoula Lake Area: All of Catahoula

Lake, including those portions known

locally as Round Prairie, Catfish Prairie,

and Frazier’s Arm. See State regulations

for additional information.

Michigan

North Zone: The Upper Peninsula.

Middle Zone: That portion of the

Lower Peninsula north of a line

beginning at the Wisconsin border in

Lake Michigan due west of the mouth of

Stony Creek in Oceana County; then due

east to, and easterly and southerly along

the south shore of, Stony Creek to

Scenic Drive, easterly and southerly

along Scenic Drive to Stony Lake Road,

easterly along Stony Lake and Garfield

Roads to Michigan Highway 20, east

along Michigan 20 to U.S. Highway 10

Business Route (BR) in the city of

Midland, east along U.S. 10 BR to U.S.

10, east along U.S. 10 to Interstate

Highway 75/U.S. Highway 23, north

along I-75/U.S. 23 to the U.S. 23 exit at

Standish, east along U.S. 23 to Shore

Road in Arenac County, east along

Shore Road to the tip of Point Lookout,

then on a line directly east 10 miles into

Saginaw Bay, and from that point on a

line directly northeast to the Canada

border.

South Zone: The remainder of

Michigan.

Mississippi

Zone 1: Hancock, Harrison, and

Jackson Counties.

Zone 2: The remainder of Mississippi.

Missouri

North Zone: That portion of Missouri

north of a line running west from the

Illinois border along Interstate Highway

70 to U.S. Highway 54, south along U.S.

54 to U.S. 50, then west along U.S. 50

to the Kansas border.

South Zone: That portion of Missouri

south of a line running west from the

Illinois border along Missouri Highway

34 to Interstate Highway 55; south along

I-55 to U.S. Highway 62, west along U.S.

62 to Missouri 53, north along Missouri

53 to Missouri 51, north along Missouri

51 to U.S. 60, west along U.S. 60 to

Missouri 21, north along Missouri 21 to

Missouri 72, west along Missouri 72 to

Missouri 32, west along Missouri 32 to

U.S. 65, north along U.S. 65 to U.S. 54,

west along U.S. 54 to Missouri 32, south

along Missouri 32 to Missouri 97, south

along Missouri 97 to Dade County NN,

west along Dade County NN to Missouri

37, west along Missouri 37 to Jasper

County N, west along Jasper County N

to Jasper County M, west along Jasper

County M to the Kansas border.

Middle Zone: The remainder of

Missouri.

Ohio

North Zone: The Counties of Darke,

Miami, Clark, Champaign, Union,

Delaware, Licking (excluding the

Buckeye Lake Area), Muskingum,

Guernsey, Harrison and Jefferson and all

counties north thereof.

Pymatuning Area: Pymatuning

Reservoir and that part of Ohio bounded

on the north by County Road 306

(known as Woodward Road), on the

west by Pymatuning Lake Road, and on

the south by U.S. Highway 322.

Ohio River Zone: The Counties of

Hamilton, Clermont, Brown, Adams,

Scioto, Lawrence, Gallia and Meigs.

South Zone: That portion of the State

between the North and Ohio River Zone

boundaries, including the Buckeye Lake

Area in Licking County bounded on the

west by State Highway 37, on the north

by U.S. Highway 40, and on the east by

State 13.

Tennessee

Reelfoot Zone: All or portions of Lake

and Obion Counties.

State Zone: The remainder of

Tennessee.

Wisconsin

North Zone: That portion of the State

north of a line extending east from the

Minnesota border along State Highway

77 to State 27, south along State 27 and

77 to U.S. Highway 63, and continuing

south along State 27 to Sawyer County

Road B, south and east along County B

to State 70, southwest along State 70 to

State 27, south along State 27 to State

64, west along State 64/27 and south

along State 27 to U.S. 12, south and east

on State 27/U.S. 12 to U.S. 10, east on

U.S. 10 to State 310, east along State 310

to State 42, north along State 42 to State

147, north along State 147 to State 163,

north along State 163 to Kewaunee

County Trunk A, north along County

Trunk A to State 57, north along State

57 to the Kewaunee/Door County Line,

west along the Kewaunee/Door County

Line to the Door/Brown County Line,

west along the Door/Brown County Line

to the Door/Oconto/Brown County Line,

northeast along the Door/Oconto County

Line to the Marinette/Door County Line,

northeast along the Marinette/Door

County Line to the Michigan border.

South Zone: The remainder of

Wisconsin.

Central Flyway

Kansas

High Plains Zone: That portion of the

State west of U.S. 283.

Low Plains Early Zone: That portion

of the State east of the High Plains Zone

and west of a line extending south from

the Nebraska border along KS 28 to U.S.

36, east along U.S. 36 to KS 199, south

along KS 199 to Republic County Road

563, south along Republic County Road

563 to KS 148, east along KS 148 to

Republic County Road 138, south along

Republic County Road 138 to Cloud

County Road 765, south along Cloud

County Road 765 to KS 9, west along KS

9 to U.S. 24, west along U.S 24 to U.S.

281, north along U.S. 281 to U.S. 36,

west along U.S. 36 to U.S. 183, south

along U.S. 183 to U.S. 24, west along

U.S. 24 to KS 18, southeast along KS 18

to U.S, 183, south along U.S. 183 to KS

4, east along KS 4 to I-135, south along
50674 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

I-135 to KS 61, southwest along KS 61

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

west along U.S. 56 to U.S. 281, south

along U.S. 281 to U.S. 54, then west

along U.S. 54 to U.S. 283.

Low Plains Late Zone: The remainder

of Kansas.

Montana (Central Flyway Portion)

Zone 1: The Counties of Blaine,

Carbon, Carter, Daniels, Dawson, Fallon,

Fergus, Garfield, Golden Valley, Judith

Basin, McCone, Musselshell, Petroleum,

Phillips, Powder River, Richland,

Roosevelt, Sheridan, Stillwater, Sweet

Grass, Valley, Wheatland, Wibaux, and

Yellowstone.

Zone 2: The remainder of Montana.

Nebraska

High Plains Zone: That portion of the

State west of Highways U.S. 183 and

U.S. 20 from the South Dakota border to

Ainsworth, NE 7 and NE 91 to Dunning,

NE 2 to Merna, NE 92 to Arnold, NE 40

and NE 47 through Gothenburg to NE

23, NE 23 to Elwood, and U.S. 283 to

the Kansas border.

Low Plains Zone 1: That portion of

the State east of the High Plains Zone

and north and east of a line extending

from the South Dakota border along NE

26E Spur to U.S. 20, west on U.S. 20 to

NE 12, west on NE 12 to the Knox/Keya

Paha County line, south along the

county line to the Niobrara River and

along the Niobrara River to U.S. 183 (the

High Plains Zone line). Where the

Niobrara River forms the boundary, both

banks will be in Zone 1.

Low Plains Zone 2: That portion of

the State east of the High Plains Zone

and bounded by designated highways

and political boundaries starting on U.S.

73 at the Kansas border, north to NE 67,

north to U.S. 75, north to NE 2, west to

NE 43, north to U.S. 34, east to NE 63;

north and west to U.S. 77; north to NE

92; west to U.S. 81; south to NE 66; west

to NE 14; south to U.S. 34; west to NE

2; south to I-80; west to Hamilton/Hall

County line (Gunbarrel Road), south to

Giltner Road; west to U.S. 34; west to

U.S. 136; east on U.S. 136 to NE 10;

south to the State line; west to U.S. 283;

north to NE 23; west to NE 47; north to

U.S. 30; east to NE 14; north to NE 52;

northeasterly to NE 91; west to U.S. 281,

north to NE 91 in Wheeler County, west

to U.S. 183; north to northerly boundary

of Loup County; east along the north

boundaries of Loup, Garfield, and

Wheeler County; south along the east

Wheeler County line to NE 70; east on

NE 70 from Wheeler County to NE 14;

south to NE 39; southeast to NE 22; east

to U.S. 81; southeast to U.S. 30; east

along U.S. 30 to U.S. 75, north along

U.S. 75 to the Washington/Burt County

line; then east along the county line to

the Iowa border.

Low Plains Zone 3: The area east of

the High Plains Zone, excluding Low

Plains Zone 1, north of Low Plains Zone

2.

Low Plains Zone 4: The area east of

the High Plains Zone and south of Zone

2.

New Mexico (Central Flyway Portion)

North Zone: That portion of the State

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

South Zone: The remainder of New

Mexico.

North Dakota

High Plains Unit: That portion of the

State south and west of a line from the

South Dakota border along U.S. 83 and

I-94 to ND 41, north to U.S. 2, west to

the Williams/Divide County line, then

north along the County line to the

Canadian border.

Low Plains: The remainder of North

Dakota.

Oklahoma

High Plains Zone: The Counties of

Beaver, Cimarron, and Texas.

Low Plains Zone 1: That portion of

the State east of the High Plains Zone

and north of a line extending east from

the Texas border along OK 33 to OK 47,

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

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

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

west along OK 33 to I-35, north along I35 to U.S. 60, west along U.S. 60 to U.S.

64, west along U.S. 64 to OK 132, then

north along OK 132 to the Kansas

border.

Low Plains Zone 2: The remainder of

Oklahoma.

South Dakota

High Plains Unit: That portion of the

State west of a line beginning at the

North Dakota border and extending

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

along U.S. 14 to Blunt-Canning Road in

Blunt, south along Blunt-Canning Road

to SD 34, east to SD 47, south to I-90,

east to SD 47, south to SD 49, south to

Colome and then continuing south on

U.S. 183 to the Nebraska border.

North Zone: That portion of

northeastern South Dakota east of the

High Plains Unit and north of a line

extending east along US 212 to SD 15,

then north along SD 15 to Big Stone

Lake at the Minnesota border.

South Zone: That portion of Gregory

County east of SD 47, Charles Mix

County south of SD 44 to the Douglas

County line, south on SD 50 to Geddes,

east on the Geddes Hwy. to U.S. 281,

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

south and east on SD 50 to Bon Homme

County line, the Counties of Bon

Homme, Yankton, and Clay south of SD

50, and Union County south and west

of SD 50 and I-29.

Middle Zone: The remainder of South

Dakota.

Texas

High Plains Zone: That portion of the

State west of a line extending south

from the Oklahoma border along U.S.

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

Albany, south along TX 6 to TX 351 to

Abilene, south along U.S. 277 to Del

Rio, then south along the Del Rio

International Toll Bridge access road to

the Mexico border.

Low Plains North Zone: That portion

of northeastern Texas east of the High

Plains Zone and north of a line

beginning at the International Toll

Bridge south of Del Rio, then extending

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

continuing east on I-10 to Louisiana

border at Orange, Texas.

Low Plains South Zone: The

remainder of Texas.

Wyoming (Central Flyway portion)

Zone 1: The Counties of Converse,

Goshen, Hot Springs, Natrona, Platte,

Washakie, and that portion of Park

County south of T58N and not within

the boundary of the Shoshone National

Forest.

Zone 2: The remainder of Wyoming.

Pacific Flyway

Arizona—Game Management Units

(GMU) as follows:

South Zone: Those portions of GMUs

6 and 8 in Yavapai County, and GMUs

10 and 12B-45.

North Zone: GMUs 1-5, those portions

of GMUs 6 and 8 within Coconino

County, and GMUs 7, 9, 12A.

California

Northeastern Zone: That portion of

the State east and north of a line

beginning at the Oregon border; south

and west along the Klamath River to the

mouth of Shovel Creek; south along

Shovel Creek to Forest Service Road

46N10; south and east along FS 46N10

to FS 45N22; west and south along FS

45N22 to U.S. 97 at Grass Lake Summit;

south and west along U.S. 97 to I-5 at

the town of Weed; south along I-5 to CA

89; east and south along CA 89 to the

junction with CA 49; east and north on

CA 49 to CA 70; east on CA 70 to U.S.

395; south and east on U.S. 395 to the

Nevada border.

Colorado River Zone: Those portions

of San Bernardino, Riverside, and

Imperial Counties east of a line

extending from the Nevada border south

along U.S. 95 to Vidal Junction; south

on a road known as ‘‘Aqueduct Road’’

in San Bernardino County through the

town of Rice to the San BernardinoRiverside 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
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 50675

the Army-Milpitas Road to the Blythe,

Brawley, Davis Lake intersections; south

on the Blythe-Brawley paved road to the

Ogilby and Tumco Mine Road; south on

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

U.S. 80 to the Andrade-Algodones Road;

south on this paved road to the Mexican

border at Algodones, Mexico.

Southern Zone: That portion of

southern California (but excluding the

Colorado River Zone) south and east of

a line extending from the Pacific Ocean

east along the Santa Maria River to CA

166 near the City of Santa Maria; east on

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

crest of the Tehachapi Mountains at

Tejon Pass; east and north along the

crest of the Tehachapi Mountains to CA

178 at Walker Pass; east on CA 178 to

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

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

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

127 to the Nevada border.

Southern San Joaquin Valley

Temporary Zone: All of Kings and

Tulare Counties and that portion of

Kern County north of the Southern

Zone.

Balance-of-the-State Zone: The

remainder of California not included in

the Northeastern, Southern, and

Colorado River Zones, and the Southern

San Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone.

Idaho

Zone 1: Includes all lands and waters

within the Fort Hall Indian Reservation,

including private inholdings; Bannock

County; Bingham County, except that

portion within the Blackfoot Reservoir

drainage; and Power County east of ID

37 and ID 39.

Zone 2: Includes the following

Counties or portions of Counties:

Adams; Bear Lake; Benewah; Bingham

within the Blackfoot Reservoir drainage;

those portions of Blaine west of ID 75,

south and east of U.S. 93, and between

ID 75 and U.S. 93 north of U.S. 20

outside the Silver Creek drainage;

Bonner; Bonneville; Boundary; Butte;

Camas; Caribou except the Fort Hall

Indian Reservation; Cassia within the

Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge;

Clark; Clearwater; Custer; Elmore within

the Camas Creek drainage; Franklin;

Fremont; Idaho; Jefferson; Kootenai;

Latah; Lemhi; Lewis; Madison; Nez

Perce; Oneida; Power within the

Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge;

Shoshone; Teton; and Valley Counties.

Zone 3: Includes the following

Counties or portions of Counties: Ada;

Blaine between ID 75 and U.S. 93 south

of U.S. 20 and that additional area

between ID 75 and U.S. 93 north of U.S.

20 within the Silver Creek drainage;

Boise; Canyon; Cassia except within the

Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge;

Elmore except the Camas Creek

drainage; Gem; Gooding; Jerome;

Lincoln; Minidoka; Owyhee; Payette;

Power west of ID 37 and ID 39 except

that portion within the Minidoka

National Wildlife Refuge; Twin Falls;

and Washington Counties.

Nevada

Lincoln and Clark County Zone: All of

Clark and Lincoln Counties.

Remainder-of-the-State Zone: The

remainder of Nevada.

Oregon

Zone 1: Clatsop, Tillamook, Lincoln,

Lane, Douglas, Coos, Curry, Josephine,

Jackson, Linn, Benton, Polk, Marion,

Yamhill, Washington, Columbia,

Multnomah, Clackamas, Hood River,

Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam, Morrow and

Umatilla Counties.

Columbia Basin Mallard Management

Unit: Gilliam, Morrow, and Umatilla

Counties.

Zone 2: The remainder of the State.

Utah

Zone 1: All of Box Elder, Cache,

Daggett, Davis, Duchesne, Morgan, Rich,

Salt Lake, Summit, Unitah, Utah,

Wasatch, and Weber Counties and that

part of Toole County north of I-80.

Zone 2: The remainder of Utah.

Washington

East Zone: All areas east of the Pacific

Crest Trail and east of the Big White

Salmon River in Klickitat County.

Columbia Basin Mallard Management

Unit: Same as East Zone.

West Zone: All areas to the west of the

East Zone.

Geese

Atlantic Flyway

Connecticut

Same zones as for ducks.

Maryland

Special Regular and Late Seasons for

Canada Geese: Allegheny, Carroll,

Frederick, Garrett, Washington counties

and the portion of Montgomery County

south of Interstate 270 and west of

Interstate 495 to the Potomac River.

Massachusetts

Special Area for Canada Geese:

Central Zone (same as for ducks) and

that portion of the Coastal Zone that lies

north of route 139 from Green Harbor.

New Hampshire

Same zones as for ducks.

New Jersey

Special Area for Canada Geese:

North - that portion of the State

within a continuous line that runs east

along the New York State boundary line

to the Hudson River; then south along

the New York State boundary to its

intersection with Route 440 at Perth

Amboy; then west on Route 440 to its

intersection with Route 287; then west

along Route 287 to its intersection with

Route 206 in Bedminster (Exit 18); then

north along Route 206 to its intersection

with Route 94: then west along Route 94

to the tollbridge in Columbia; then north

along the Pennsylvania State boundary

in the Delaware River to the beginning

point.

South - that portion of the State

within a continuous line that runs west

from the Atlantic Ocean at Ship Bottom

along Route 72 to the Garden State

Parkway; then south along the Garden

State Parkway to Route 9; then south

along Route 9 to Route 542; then west

along Route 542 to the Mullica River (at

Pleasant Mills); then north (upstream)

along the Mullica River to Route 206;

then south along Route 206 to Route

536; then west along Route 536 to Route

322; then west along Route 322 to Route

55; then south along Route 55 to Route

553 (Buck Road); then south along

Route 553 to Route 40; then east along

Route 40 to route 55; then south along

Route 55 to Route 552 (Sherman

Avenue); then west along Route 552 to

Carmel Road; then south along Carmel

Road to Route 49; then south along

Route 49 to Route 50; then east along

Route 50 to Route 9; then south along

Route 9 to Route 625 (Sea Isle City

Boulevard); then east along Route 625 to

the Atlantic Ocean; then north to the

beginning point.

New York

Special Late Season Area for Canada

Geese: that area of Chemung County

lying east of a continuous line extending

south along State Route 13 from the

Schuyler County line to State Route 17

and then south along Route 17 to the

New York-Pennsylvania boundary; all of

Tioga and Broome Counties; that area of

Delaware, Sullivan, and Orange

Counties lying southwest of a

continuous line extending east along

State Route 17 from the Broome County

line to U.S. Route 209 at Wurtsboro and

then south along Route 209 to the New

York-Pennsylvania boundary at Port

Jervis, excluding areas on or within 50

yards of the Delaware River between the

confluence of the West Branch and East

Branch below Hancock and the mouth

of the Shingle Kill (3 miles upstream

from Port Jervis); that area of Orange,

Rockland, Dutchess, Putnam and

Westchester Counties lying southeast of

a continuous line extending north along

Route 17 from the New York-New Jersey

boundary at Suffern to Interstate Route

87, then north along Route 87 to

Interstate Route 84, then east along

Route 84 to the northern boundary of

Putnam County, then east along that

boundary to the New York-Connecticut

boundary; that area of Nassau and

Suffolk Counties lying north of State

Route 25A and west of a continuous line
50676 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

extending northward from State Route

25A along Randall Road (near

Shoreham) to North Country Road, then

east to Sound Road and then north to

Long Island Sound and then due north

to the New York-Connecticut boundary.

Regular Season Area in Southwest for

Canada Geese: all of Allegany,

Cattaraugus, and Chautaugua Counties;

that area of Erie, Wyoming and Niagara

Counties lying south and west of a

continuous line extending from the

Rainbow Bridge below Niagara Falls,

north along the Robert Moses Parkway

to US Route 62A, then east along Route

62A to US Route 62, then southeast

along US Route 62 to Interstate Route

290, then south along Route 290 to Exit

50 of the NYS Thruway, then east along

the Thruway to Exit 49, then south

along NYS Route 78 to State Route 20

in Depew, then east along Route 20 to

State Route 77 in Darien Center, then

south along Route 77 to Java Center,

then south along State Route 98 to the

Cattaraugus County line; and that area

of Steuben and Chemung Counties lying

south of State Route 17.

North Carolina

Regular Season for Canada Geese:

Statewide, except for Northampton

County and the Northeast Hunt Unit -

Counties of Bertie, Camden, Chowan,

Currituck, Dare, Hyde, Pasquotank,

Perquimans, Tyrrell, and Washington.

Pennsylvania

Erie, Mercer, and Butler Counties: All

of Erie, Mercer, and Butler Counties.

Regular Season Area for Canada

Geese: Area from New York State line

west of U.S. Route 220 to intersection of

I-180, west of I-180 to intersection of SR

147, west of SR 147 to intersection of

U.S. Route 322, west of U.S. Route 322

to intersection of I-81, west of I-81 to

intersection of I-83, west of I-83 to I-283,

west of I-283 to SR 441, west of SR 441

to U.S. Route 30, west of U.S. Route 30

to I-83, west of I-83 to Maryland State

line, except for the Counties of Erie,

Mercer, Butler, and Crawford.

Special Late Season Area for Canada

Geese: Same as Regular Season Area and

the area from New York State line east

of U.S. Route 220 to intersection of I180, east of I-180 to intersection of SR

147, east of SR 147 to intersection of

U.S. Route 322, east of Route 322 to

intersection of I-81, north of I-81 to

intersection of I-80, north of I-80 to New

Jersey State line.

Rhode Island

Special Area for Canada Geese: Kent

and Providence Counties and portions

of the towns of Exeter and North

Kingston within Washington County

(see State regulations for detailed

descriptions).

South Carolina

Canada Goose Area: Statewide except

for Clarendon County and that portion

of Lake Marion in Orangeburg County

and Berkeley County.

Virginia

Regular and Special Late Season Area

for Canada Geese: All areas west of I-95.

Back Bay Area—Defined for white

geese as the waters of Back Bay and its

tributaries and the marshes adjacent

thereto, and on the land and marshes

between Back Bay and the Atlantic

Ocean from Sandbridge to the North

Carolina line, and on and along the

shore of North Landing River and the

marshes adjacent thereto, and on and

along the shores of Binson Inlet Lake

(formerly known as Lake Tecumseh)

and Red Wing Lake and the marshes

adjacent thereto.

West Virginia

Same zones as for ducks.

Mississippi Flyway

Alabama

Same zones as for ducks, but in

addition:

SJBP Zone: That portion of Morgan

County east of U.S. Highway 31, north

of State Highway 36, and west of U.S.

231; that portion of Limestone County

south of U.S. 72; and that portion of

Madison County south of Swancott

Road and west of Triana Road.

Arkansas

East Zone: Arkansas, Ashley, Chicot,

Clay, Craighead, Crittenden, Cross,

Desha, Drew, Greene, Independence,

Jackson, Jefferson, Lawrence, Lee,

Lincoln, Lonoke, Mississippi, Monroe,

Phillips, Poinsett, Prairie, Pulaski,

Randolph, St. Francis, White, and

Woodruff Counties.

West Zone: Baxter, Benton, Boone,

Carroll, Cleburne, Conway, Crawford,

Faulkner, Franklin, Fulton, Izard,

Johnson, Madison, Marion, Newton,

Pope, Searcy, Sharp, Stone, Van Buren,

and Washington Counties, and those

portions of Logan, Perry, Sebastian, and

Yell Counties lying north of a line

extending east from the Oklahoma

border along State Highway 10 to Perry,

south on State 9 to State 60, then east

on State 60 to the Faulkner County line.

Illinois

Same zones as for ducks, but in

addition:

North Zone:

Northern Illinois Quota Zone: The

Counties of McHenry, Lake, Kane,

DuPage, and those portions of LaSalle

and Will Counties north of Interstate

Highway 80.

Central Zone:

Central Illinois Quota Zone: The

Counties of Grundy, Woodford, Peoria,

Knox, Fulton, Tazewell, Mason, Cass,

Morgan, Pike, Calhoun, and Jersey, and

those portions of LaSalle and Will

Counties south of Interstate Highway 80.

South Zone:

Southern Illinois Quota Zone:

Alexander, Jackson, Union, and

Williamson Counties.

Rend Lake Quota Zone: Franklin and

Jefferson Counties.

Indiana

Same zones as for ducks, but in

addition:

SJBP Zone: Jasper, LaGrange, LaPorte,

Starke, and Steuben Counties, and that

portion of the Jasper-Pulaski Fish and

Wildlife Area in Pulaski County.

Iowa

Same zones as for ducks.

Kentucky

Western Zone: That portion of the

State west of a line beginning at the

Tennessee border at Fulton and

extending north along the Purchase

Parkway to Interstate Highway 24, east

along I-24 to U.S. Highway 641, north

along U.S. 641 to U.S. 60, northeast

along U.S. 60 to the Henderson County

line, then south, east, and northerly

along the Henderson County line to the

Indiana border.

Ballard Reporting Area: That area

encompassed by a line beginning at the

northwest city limits of Wickliffe in

Ballard County and extending westward

to the middle of the Mississippi River,

north along the Mississippi River and

along the low-water mark of the Ohio

River on the Illinois shore to the

Ballard-McCracken County line, south

along the county line to Kentucky

Highway 358, south along Kentucky 358

to U.S. Highway 60 at LaCenter; then

southwest along U.S. 60 to the northeast

city limits of Wickliffe.

Henderson-Union Reporting Area:

Henderson County and that portion of

Union County within the Western Zone.

Pennyroyal/Coalfield Zone: Butler,

Daviess, Ohio, Simpson, and Warren

Counties and all counties lying west to

the boundary of the Western Goose

Zone.

Michigan

Same zones as for ducks, but in

addition:

South Zone

Tuscola/Huron Goose Management

Unit (GMU): Those portions of Tuscola

and Huron Counties bounded on the

south by Michigan Highway 138 and

Bay City Road, on the east by Colwood

and Bay Port Roads, on the north by

Kilmanagh Road and a line extending

directly west off the end of Kilmanagh

Road into Saginaw Bay to the west

boundary, and on the west by the

Tuscola-Bay County line and a line

extending directly north off the end of

the Tuscola-Bay County line into

Saginaw Bay to the north boundary.
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 50677

Allegan County GMU: That area

encompassed by a line beginning at the

junction of 136th Avenue and Interstate

Highway 196 in Lake Town Township

and extending easterly along 136th

Avenue to Michigan Highway 40,

southerly along Michigan 40 through

the city of Allegan to 108th Avenue in

Trowbridge Township, westerly along

108th Avenue to 46th Street, northerly

1/2 mile along 46th Street to 109th

Avenue, westerly along 109th Avenue to

I-196 in Casco Township, then northerly

along I-196 to the point of beginning.

Saginaw County GMU: That portion

of Saginaw County bounded by

Michigan Highway 46 on the north;

Michigan 52 on the west; Michigan 57

on the south; and Michigan 13 on the

east.

Muskegon Wastewater GMU: That

portion of Muskegon County within the

boundaries of the Muskegon County

wastewater system, east of the

Muskegon State Game Area, in sections

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

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

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

posted.

Special Canada Goose Seasons:

Southern Michigan GMU: That

portion of the State, including the Great

Lakes and interconnecting waterways

and excluding the Allegan County

GMU, south of a line beginning at the

Ontario border at the Bluewater Bridge

in the city of Port Huron and extending

westerly and southerly along Interstate

Highway 94 to I-69, westerly along I-69

to Michigan Highway 21, westerly along

Michigan 21 to I-96, northerly along I96 to I-196, westerly along I-196 to Lake

Michigan Drive (M-45) in Grand Rapids,

westerly along Lake Michigan Drive to

the Lake Michigan shore, then directly

west from the end of Lake Michigan

Drive to the Wisconsin border.

Central Michigan GMU: That portion

of the South Zone north of the Southern

Michigan GMU, excluding the Tuscola/

Huron GMU, Saginaw County GMU,

and Muskegon Wastewater GMU.

Minnesota

West Zone: That portion of the state

encompassed by a line beginning at the

junction of State Trunk Highway (STH)

60 and the Iowa border, then north and

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

north along U.S. 71 to Interstate

Highway 94, then north and west along

I-94 to the North Dakota border.

West Central Zone: That area

encompassed by a line beginning at the

intersection of State Trunk Highway

(STH) 29 and U.S. Highway 212 and

extending west along U.S. 212 to U.S.

59, south along U.S. 59 to STH 67, west

along STH 67 to U.S. 75, north along

U.S. 75 to County State Aid Highway

(CSAH) 30 in Lac qui Parle County, west

along CSAH 30 to County Road 70 in

Lac qui Parle County, west along County

70 to the western boundary of the State,

north along the western boundary of the

State to a point due south of the

intersection of STH 7 and CSAH 7 in

Big Stone County, and continuing due

north to said intersection, then north

along CSAH 7 to CSAH 6 in Big Stone

County, east along CSAH 6 to CSAH 21

in Big Stone County, south along CSAH

21 to CSAH 10 in Big Stone County, east

along CSAH 10 to CSAH 22 in Swift

County, east along CSAH 22 to CSAH 5

in Swift County, south along CSAH 5 to

U.S. 12, east along U.S. 12 to CSAH 17

in Swift County, south along CSAH 17

to CSAH 9 in Chippewa County, south

along CSAH 9 to STH 40, east along

STH 40 to STH 29, then south along

STH 29 to the point of beginning.

Lac qui Parle Zone: That area

encompassed by a line beginning at the

intersection of U.S. Highway 212 and

County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 27 in

Lac qui Parle County and extending

north along CSAH 27 to CSAH 20 in Lac

qui Parle County, west along CSAH 20

to State Trunk Highway (STH) 40, north

along STH 40 to STH 119, north along

STH 119 to CSAH 34 in Lac qui Parle

County, west along CSAH 34 to CSAH

19 in Lac qui Parle County, north and

west along CSAH 19 to CSAH 38 in Lac

qui Parle County, west along CSAH 38

to U.S. 75, north along U.S. 75 to STH

7, east along STH 7 to CSAH 6 in Swift

County, east along CSAH 6 to County

Road 65 in Swift County, south along

County 65 to County 34 in Chippewa

County, south along County 34 to CSAH

12 in Chippewa County, east along

CSAH 12 to CSAH 9 in Chippewa

County, south along CSAH 9 to STH 7,

southeast along STH 7 to Montevideo

and along the municipal boundary of

Montevideo to U.S. 212; then west along

U.S. 212 to the point of beginning.

Northwest Zone: That portion of the

state encompassed by a line extending

east from the North Dakota border along

U.S. Highway 2 to State Trunk Highway

(STH) 32, north along STH 32 to STH

92, east along STH 92 to County State

Aid Highway (CSAH) 2 in Polk County,

north along CSAH 2 to CSAH 27 in

Pennington County, north along CSAH

27 to STH 1, east along STH 1 to CSAH

28 in Pennington County, north along

CSAH 28 to CSAH 54 in Marshall

County, north along CSAH 54 to CSAH

9 in Roseau County, north along CSAH

9 to STH 11, west along STH 11 to STH

310, and north along STH 310 to the

Manitoba border.

Special Canada Goose Seasons:

Fergus Falls/Alexandria Zone: That

area encompassed by a line beginning at

the intersection of State Trunk Highway

(STH) 55 and STH 28 and extending

east along STH 28 to County State Aid

Highway (CSAH) 33 in Pope County,

north along CSAH 33 to CSAH 3 in

Douglas County, north along CSAH 3 to

CSAH 69 in Otter Tail County, north

along CSAH 69 to CSAH 46 in Otter Tail

County, east along CSAH 46 to the

eastern boundary of Otter Tail County,

north along the east boundary of Otter

Tail County to CSAH 40 in Otter Tail

County, west along CSAH 40 to CSAH

75 in Otter Tail County, north along

CSAH 75 to STH 210, west along STH

210 to STH 108, north along STH 108

to CSAH 1 in Otter Tail County, west

along CSAH 1 to CSAH 14 in Otter Tail

County, north along CSAH 14 to CSAH

44 in Otter Tail County, west along

CSAH 44 to CSAH 35 in Otter Tail

County, north along CSAH 35 to STH

108, west along STH 108 to CSAH 19 in

Wilkin County, south along CSAH 19 to

STH 55, then southeast along STH 55 to

the point of beginning.

Missouri

Same zones as for ducks but in

addition:

North Zone

Swan Lake Zone: That area bounded

by U.S. Highway 36 on the north,

Missouri Highway 5 on the east,

Missouri 240 and U.S. 65 on the south,

and U.S. 65 on the west.

Middle Zone

Schell-Osage Zone: That portion of

the State encompassed by a line

extending east from the Kansas border

along U.S. Highway 54 to Missouri

Highway 13, north along Missouri 13 to

Missouri 7, west along Missouri 7 to

U.S. 71, north along U.S. 71 to Missouri

2, then west along Missouri 2 to the

Kansas border.

Ohio

Same zones as for ducks but in

addition:

North Zone

Pymatuning Area: Pymatuning

Reservoir and that part of Ohio bounded

on the north by County Road 306

(known as Woodward Road), on the

west by Pymatuning Lake Road, and on

the south by U.S. Highway 322.

Lake Erie SJBP Zone: That portion of

the State encompassed by a line

extending south from the Michigan

border along Interstate Highway 75 to I280, south along I-280 to I-80, and east

along I-80 to the Pennsylvania border.

Tennessee

Southwest Zone: That portion of the

State south of State Highways 20 and

104, and west of U.S. Highways 45 and

45W.

Northwest Zone: Lake, Obion and

Weakley Counties and those portions of
50678 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

Gibson and Dyer Counties not included

in the Southwest Tennessee Zone.

Kentucky/Barkley Lakes Zone: That

portion of the State bounded on the

west by the eastern boundaries of the

Northwest and Southwest Zones and on

the east by State Highway 13 from the

Alabama border to Clarksville and U.S.

Highway 79 from Clarksville to the

Kentucky border.

Wisconsin

Horicon Zone: That area encompassed

by a line beginning at the intersection of

State Highway 21 and the Fox River in

Winnebago County and extending

westerly along State 21 to the west

boundary of Winnebago County,

southerly along the west boundary of

Winnebago County to the north

boundary of Green Lake County,

westerly along the north boundaries of

Green Lake and Marquette Counties to

State 22, southerly along State 22 to

State 33, westerly along State 33 to U.S.

Highway 16, westerly along U.S. 16 to

Weyh Road, southerly along Weyh Road

to County Highway O, southerly along

County O to the west boundary of

Section 31, southerly along the west

boundary of Section 31 to the Sauk/

Columbia County boundary, southerly

along the Sauk/Columbia County

boundary to State 33, easterly along

State 33 to Interstate Highway 90/94,

southerly along I-90/94 to State 60,

easterly along State 60 to State 83,

northerly along State 83 to State 175,

northerly along State 175 to State 33,

easterly along State 33 to U.S. Highway

45, northerly along U.S. 45 to the east

shore of the Fond Du Lac River,

northerly along the east shore of the

Fond Du Lac River to Lake Winnebago,

northerly along the western shoreline of

Lake Winnebago to the Fox River, then

westerly along the Fox River to State 21.

Collins Zone: That area encompassed

by a line beginning at the intersection of

Hilltop Road and Collins Marsh Road in

Manitowoc County and extending

westerly along Hilltop Road to Humpty

Dumpty Road, southerly along Humpty

Dumpty Road to Poplar Grove Road,

easterly and southerly along Poplar

Grove Road to County Highway JJ,

southeasterly along County JJ to Collins

Road, southerly along Collins Road to

the Manitowoc River, southeasterly

along the Manitowoc River to Quarry

Road, northerly along Quarry Road to

Einberger Road, northerly along

Einberger Road to Moschel Road,

westerly along Moschel Road to Collins

Marsh Road, northerly along Collins

Marsh Road to Hilltop Road.

Exterior Zone: That portion of the

State not included in the Horicon or

Collins Zones.

Mississippi River Subzone: That area

encompassed by a line beginning at the

intersection of the Burlington Northern

Railway and the Illinois border in Grant

County and extending northerly along

the Burlington Northern Railway to the

city limit of Prescott in Pierce County,

then west along the Prescott city limit

to the Minnesota border.

Rock Prairie Subzone: That area

encompassed by a line beginning at the

intersection of the Illinois border and

Interstate Highway 90 and extending

north along I-90 to County Highway A,

east along County A to U.S. Highway 12,

southeast along U.S. 12 to State

Highway 50, west along State 50 to State

120, then south along 120 to the Illinois

border.

Central Flyway

Colorado (Central Flyway Portion)

Northern Front Range Area: All lands

in Adams, Boulder, Clear Creek, Denver,

Gilpin, Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld

Counties west of I-25 from the Wyoming

border south to I-70; west on I-70 to the

Continental Divide; north along the

Continental Divide to the JacksonLarimer County Line to the Wyoming

border.

South Park/San Luis Valley Area:

Alamosa, Chaffee, Conejos, Costilla,

Custer, Fremont, Lake, Park, Teller, and

Rio Grande Counties and those portions

of Hinsdale, Mineral, and Saguache

Counties east of the Continental Divide.

North Park Area: Jackson County.

Arkansas Valley Area: Baca, Bent,

Crowley, Kiowa, Otero, and Prowers

Counties.

Pueblo County Area: Pueblo County.

Remainder: Remainder of the Central

Flyway portion of Colorado.

Eastern Colorado Late Light Goose

Area: that portion of the State east of

Interstate Highway 25.

Kansas

Light Geese

Unit 1: That portion of Kansas east of

a line beginning at the intersection of

the Nebraska border and KS 99,

extending south along KS 99 to I-70 to

U.S. 75, south on U.S. 75 to U.S. 54,

west on U.S. 54 to KS 99, and then

south on KS 99 to the Oklahoma border.

Unit 2: The remainder of Kansas,

lying west of Unit 1.

Dark Geese

Marais des Cygne Valley Unit: The

area is bounded by the Missouri border

to KS 68, KS 68 to U.S 169, U.S. 169 to

KS 7, KS 7 to KS 31, KS 31 to U.S. 69,

U.S. 69 to KS 239, KS 239 to the

Missouri border.

South Flint Hills Unit: The area is

bounded by Highways U.S. 50 to KS 57,

KS 57 to U.S. 75, U.S. 75 to KS 39, KS

39 to KS 96, KS 96 to U.S. 77, U.S. 77

to U.S. 50.

Central Flint Hills Unit: That area

southwest of Topeka bounded by

Highways U.S. 75 to I-35, I-35 to U.S.

50, U.S. 50 to U.S. 77, U.S. 77 to I-70,

I-70 to U.S. 75.

Southeast Unit: That area of southeast

Kansas bounded by the Missouri border

to U.S. 160, U.S. 160 to U.S. 69, U.S. 69

to KS 39, KS 39 to U.S. 169, U.S. 169

to the Oklahoma border, and the

Oklahoma border to the Missouri

border.

Montana (Central Flyway Portion)

Sheridan County: Includes all of

Sheridan County.

Remainder: Includes the remainder of

the Central Flyway portion of Montana.

Nebraska

Dark Geese

North Unit: Keya Paha County east of

U.S. 183 and all of Boyd County,

including the boundary waters of the

Niobrara River, all of Knox County and

that portion of Cedar County west of

U.S. 81.

East Unit: The area east of a line

beginning at U.S. 183 at the northern

State line; south to NE 2; east to U.S.

281; south to the southern State line,

excluding the North Unit.

West Unit: All of Nebraska west of the

East Unit.

Light Geese

Rainwater Basin Light Goose Area

(West): The area bounded by the

junction of U.S. 283 and U.S. 30 at

Lexington, east on U.S. 30 to U.S. 281,

south on U.S. 281 to NE 4, west on NE

4 to U.S. 34, continue west on U.S. 34

to U.S. 283, then north on U.S. 283 to

the beginning.

Rainwater Basin Light Goose Area

(East): The area bounded by the junction

of U.S. 281 and NS 30 at Grand Island,

north and east on U.S. 30 to NE 92, east

on NE 92 to NE 15, south on NE 15 to

NE 4, west on NE 4 to U.S. 281, north

on U.S. 281 to the beginning.

Remainder of State: The remainder

portion of Nebraska.

New Mexico (Central Flyway Portion)

Dark Geese

Middle Rio Grande Valley Unit: Sierra

County and that portion of Socorro

County lying south of the Sevilleta

National Wildlife Refuge Boundary.

Remainder: The remainder of the

Central Flyway portion of New Mexico.

North Dakota

Dark Geese

Missouri River Zone: That area

encompassed by a line extending from

the South Dakota border north on U.S.

83 and I-94 to ND 41, north to ND 53,

west to U.S. 83, north to ND 23, west to

ND 37, south to ND 1804, south

approximately 9 miles to Elbowoods

Bay on Lake Sakakawea, south and west

across the lake to ND 8, south to ND
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 1997 / Rules and Regulations 50679

200, east to ND 31, south to ND 25,

south to I-94, east to ND 6, south to the

South Dakota border, and east to the

point of origin.

Statewide: All of North Dakota.

South Dakota

Dark Geese

Unit 1: Statewide except for Units 2

and 3.

Unit 2: Brule, Buffalo, Campbell,

Dewey, Hughes, Hyde, Lyman, Potter,

Stanley, Sully, and Walworth Counties

and that portion of Corson County east

of State Highway 65.

Unit 3: Charles Mix and Gregory

Counties.

Texas

West Unit: That portion of the State

lying west of a line from the

international toll bridge at Laredo; north

along I-35 and I-35W to Fort Worth;

northwest along US 81 and US 287 to

Bowie; and north along US 81 to the

Oklahoma border.

East Unit: Remainder of State.

Wyoming (Central Flyway Portion)

Area 1: Converse, Hot Springs,

Natrona, and Washakie Counties, and

that portion of Park County south of

T58N.

Area 2: Platte County.

Area 3: Albany, Big Horn, Campbell,

Crook, Fremont, Johnson, Laramie,

Niobrara, Sheridan, and Weston

Counties and those portions of Carbon

County east of the Continental Divide

and Park County north of T58N.

Area 4: Goshen County.

Pacific Flyway

Arizona

GMU 22 and 23: Game Management

Units 22 and 23.

Remainder of State: The remainder of

Arizona.

California

Northeastern Zone: That portion of

the State east and north of a line

beginning at the Oregon border; south

and west along the Klamath River to the

mouth of Shovel Creek; south along

Shovel Creek to Forest Service Road

46N10; south and east along FS 46N10

to FS 45N22; west and south along FS

45N22 to U.S. 97 at Grass Lake Summit;

south and west along U.S. 97 to I-5 at

the town of Weed; south along I-5 to CA

89; east and south along CA 89 to the

junction with CA 49; east and north on

CA 49 to CA 70; east on CA 70 to U.S.

395; south and east on U.S. 395 to the

Nevada border.

Colorado River Zone: Those portions

of San Bernardino, Riverside, and

Imperial Counties east of a line

extending from the Nevada border south

along U.S. 95 to Vidal Junction; south

on a road known as ‘‘Aqueduct Road’’

in San Bernardino County through the

town of Rice to the San BernardinoRiverside County line; south on a road

known in Riverside County as the

‘‘Desert Center to Rice Road’’ to the

town of Desert Center; east 31 miles on

I-10 to the Wiley Well Road; south on

this road to Wiley Well; southeast along

the Army-Milpitas Road to the Blythe,

Brawley, Davis Lake intersections; south

on the Blythe-Brawley paved road to the

Ogilby and Tumco Mine Road; south on

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

U.S. 80 to the Andrade-Algodones Road;

south on this paved road to the Mexican

border at Algodones, Mexico.

Southern Zone: That portion of

southern California (but excluding the

Colorado River Zone) south and east of

a line extending from the Pacific Ocean

east along the Santa Maria River to CA

166 near the City of Santa Maria; east on

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

crest of the Tehachapi Mountains at

Tejon Pass; east and north along the

crest of the Tehachapi Mountains to CA

178 at Walker Pass; east on CA 178 to

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

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

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

127 to the Nevada border.

Balance-of-the-State Zone: The

remainder of California not included in

the Northeastern, Southern, and the

Colorado River Zones.

Del Norte and Humboldt Area: The

Counties of Del Norte and Humboldt.

Sacramento Valley Area: That area

bounded by a line beginning at Willows

in Glenn County proceeding south on I5 to Hahn Road north of Arbuckle in

Colusa County; easterly on Hahn Road

and the Grimes Arbuckle Road to

Grimes on the Sacramento River;

southerly on the Sacramento River to

the Tisdale Bypass to O’Banion Road;

easterly on O’Banion Road to CA 99;

northerly on CA 99 to the GridleyColusa Highway in Gridley in Butte

County; westerly on the Gridley-Colusa

Highway to the River Road; northerly on

the River Road to the Princeton Ferry;

westerly across the Sacramento River to

CA 45; northerly on CA 45 to CA 162;

northerly on CA 45-162 to Glenn;

westerly on CA 162 to the point of

beginning in Willows.

Western Canada Goose Hunt Area:

That portion of the above described

Sacramento Valley Area lying east of a

line formed by Butte Creek from the

Gridley-Colusa Highway south to the

Cherokee Canal; easterly along the

Cherokee Canal and North Butte Road to

West Butte Road; southerly on West

Butte Road to Pass Road; easterly on

Pass Road to West Butte Road; southerly

on West Butte Road to CA 20; and

westerly along CA 20 to the Sacramento

River.

San Joaquin Valley Area: That area

bounded by a line beginning at Modesto

in Stanislaus County proceeding west

on CA 132 to I-5; southerly on I-5 to CA

152 in Merced County; easterly on CA

152 to CA 165; northerly on CA 165 to

CA 99 at Merced; northerly and westerly

on CA 99 to the point of beginning.

Colorado (Pacific Flyway Portion)

West Central Area: Archuleta, Delta,

Dolores, Gunnison, LaPlata,

Montezuma, Montrose, Ouray, San Juan,

and San Miguel Counties and those

portions of Hinsdale, Mineral and

Saguache Counties west of the

Continental Divide.

State Area: The remainder of the

Pacific-Flyway Portion of Colorado.

Idaho

Zone 1: Benewah, Bonner, Boundary,

Clearwater, Idaho, Kootenai, Latah,

Lewis, Nez Perce, and Shoshone

Counties.

Zone 2: The Counties of Ada; Adams;

Boise; Canyon; those portions of Elmore

north and east of I-84, and south and

west of I-84, west of ID 51, except the

Camas Creek drainage; Gem; Owyhee

west of ID 51; Payette; Valley; and

Washington.

Zone 3: The Counties of Blaine;

Camas; Cassia; those portions of Elmore

south of I-84 east of ID 51, and within

the Camas Creek drainage; Gooding;

Jerome; Lincoln; Minidoka; Owyhee east

of ID 51; Power within the Minidoka

National Wildlife Refuge; and Twin

Falls.

Zone 4: The Counties of Bear Lake;

Bingham within the Blackfoot Reservoir

drainage; Bonneville, Butte; Caribou

except the Fort Hall Indian Reservation;

Clark; Custer; Franklin; Fremont;

Jefferson; Lemhi; Madison; Oneida;

Power west of ID 37 and ID 39 except

the Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge;

and Teton.

Zone 5: All lands and waters within

the Fort Hall Indian Reservation,

including private inholdings; Bannock

County; Bingham County, except that

portion within the Blackfoot Reservoir

drainage; and Power County east of ID

37 and ID 39.

In addition, goose frameworks are set

by the following geographical areas:

Northern Unit: Benewah, Bonner,

Boundary, Clearwater, Idaho, Kootenai,

Latah, Lewis, Nez Perce, and Shoshone

Counties.

Southwestern Unit: That area west of

the line formed by U.S. 93 north from

the Nevada border to Shoshone,

northerly on ID 75 (formerly U.S. 93) to

Challis, northerly on U.S. 93 to the

Montana border (except the Northern

Unit and except Custer and Lemhi

Counties).
50680 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 187 / Friday, September 26, 1997 / Rules and Regulations

Southeastern Unit: That area east of

the line formed by U.S. 93 north from

the Nevada border to Shoshone,

northerly on ID 75 (formerly U.S. 93) to

Challis, northerly on U.S. 93 to the

Montana border, including all of Custer

and Lemhi Counties.

Montana (Pacific Flyway Portion)

East of the Divide Zone: The Pacific

Flyway portion of the State located east

of the Continental Divide.

West of the Divide Zone: The

remainder of the Pacific Flyway portion

of Montana.

Nevada

Lincoln Clark County Zone: All of

Lincoln and Clark Counties

Remainder-of-the-State Zone: The

remainder of Nevada.

New Mexico (Pacific Flyway Portion)

North Zone: The Pacific Flyway

portion of New Mexico located north of

I-40.

South Zone: The Pacific Flyway

portion of New Mexico located south of

I-40.

Oregon

Southwest Zone: Douglas, Coos,

Curry, Josephine and Jackson Counties.

Northwest Special Permit Zone: That

portion of western Oregon west and

north of a line running south from the

Columbia River in Portland along I-5 to

OR 22 at Salem; then east on OR 22 to

the Stayton Cutoff; then south on the

Stayton Cutoff to Stayton and due south

to the Santiam River; then west along

the north shore of the Santiam River to

I-5; then south on I-5 to OR 126 at

Eugene; then west on OR 126 to

Greenhill Road; then south on Greenhill

Road to Crow Road; then west on Crow

Road to Territorial Hwy; then west on

Territorial Hwy to OR 126; then west on

OR 126 to OR 36; then north on OR 36

to Forest Road 5070 at Brickerville; then

west and south on Forest Road 5070 to

OR 126; then west on OR 126 to the

Pacific Coast.

Northwest Zone: Those portions of

Clackamas, Lane, Linn, Marion,

Multnomah, and Washington Counties

outside of the Northwest Special Permit

Zone.

Closed Zone: Those portions of Coos,

Curry, Douglas and Lane Counties west

of US 101.

Eastern Zone: Hood River, Wasco,

Sherman, Gilliam, Morrow, Umatilla,

Deschutes, Jefferson, Crook, Wheeler,

Grant, Baker, Union, and Wallowa

Counties.

Harney, Klamath, Lake and Malheur

Counties Zone: All of Harney, Klamath,

Lake, and Malheur Counties.

Utah

Washington County Zone: All of

Washington County.

Remainder-of-the-State Zone: The

remainder of Utah.

Washington

Eastern Washington: All areas east of

the Pacific Crest Trail and east of the Big

White Salmon River in Klickitat County.

Area 1: Lincoln, Spokane, and Walla

Walla Counties; that part of Grant

County east of a line beginning at the

Douglas-Lincoln County line on WA

174, southwest on WA 174 to WA 155,

south on WA 155 to US 2, southwest on

US 2 to Pinto Ridge Road, south on

Pinto Ridge Road to WA 28, east on WA

28 to the Stratford Road, south on the

Stratford Road to WA 17, south on WA

17 to the Grant-Adams County line;

those parts of Adams County east of

State Highway 17; those parts of

Franklin County east and south of a line

beginning at the Adams-Franklin

County line on WA 17, south on WA 17

to US 395, south on US 395 to I-182,

west o I-182 to the Franklin-Benton

County line; those parts of Benton

County south of I-182 and I-82; and

those parts of Klickitat County east of

U.S. Highway 97.

Area 2: All of Okanongan, Douglas,

and Kittitas Counties and those parts of

Grant, Adams, Franklin, and Benton

Counties not included in Eastern

Washington Goose Management Area 1.

Area 3: All other parts of eastern

Washington not included in Eastern

Washington Goose Management Areas 1

and 2.

Western Washington: All areas west

of the East Zone.

Area 1: Skagit, Island, and Snohomish

Counties.

Area 2: Clark, except portions south of

the Washougal River, Cowlitz, Pacific,

and Wahkiakum Counties.

Area 3: All parts of western

Washington not included in Western

Washington Goose Management Areas 1

and 2.

Lower Columbia River Early-Season

Canada Goose Zone: Beginning at the

Washington-Oregon border on the I-5

Bridge near Vancouver, Washington;

north on I-5 to Kelso; west on Highway

4 from Kelso to Highway 401; south and

west on Highway 401 to Highway 101

at the Astoria-Megler Bridge; west on

Highway 101 to Gray Drive in the City

of Ilwaco; west on Gray Drive to Canby

Road; southwest on Canby Road to the

North Jetty; southwest on the North Jetty

to its end; southeast to the WashingtonOregon border; upstream along the

Washington-Oregon border to the point

of origin.

Wyoming (Pacific Flyway Portion):

See State Regulations.

Bear River Area: That portion of

Lincoln County described in State

regulations.

Salt River Area: That portion of

Lincoln County described in State

regulations.

Eden-Farson Area: Those portions of

Sweetwater and Sublette Counties

described in State regulations.

Swans

Central Flyway

South Dakota: Beadle, Brookings,

Brown, Campbell, Clark, Codington,

Deuel, Day, Edmunds, Faulk, Grant,

Hamlin, Hand, Hughes, Hyde,

Kingsbury, Marshall, McPherson, Potter,

Roberts, Spink, Sully, and Walworth

Counties.

Pacific Flyway

Montana (Pacific Flyway Portion)

Open Area: Cascade, Chouteau, Hill,

Liberty, and Toole Counties and those

portions of Pondera and Teton Counties

lying east of U.S. 287–89.

Nevada

Open Area: Churchill, Lyon, and

Pershing Counties.

Utah

Open Area: Those portions of Box,

Elder, Weber, Davis, Salt Lake, and

Toole Counties lying south of State Hwy

30, I-80/84, west of I-15, and north of I80.

[FR Doc. 97–25517 Filed 9–25–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4310–55–F