[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 188 (Wednesday, September 27, 2000)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58152-58175]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-24611]



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Part II





Department of the Interior





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Fish and Wildlife Service



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50 CFR Part 20



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

Federal Register / Vol. 65 , No. 188 / Wednesday, September 27, 2000 
/ Rules and Regulations

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 20

RIN 1018-AG08


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

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

DATES: This rule takes effect on September 27, 2000.

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

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulations Schedule for 2000

    On April 25, 2000, we published in the Federal Register (65 FR 
24260) a proposal to amend 50 CFR part 20. The proposal dealt with the 
establishment of seasons, limits, and other regulations for migratory 
game birds under Secs. 20.101 through 20.107, 20.109, and 20.110 of 
subpart K. On June 20, 2000, we published in the Federal Register (65 
FR 38400) a second document providing supplemental proposals for early- 
and late-season migratory bird hunting regulations frameworks and the 
proposed regulatory alternatives for the 2000-01 duck hunting season. 
The June 20 supplement also provided detailed information on the 2000-
01 regulatory schedule and announced the Service Migratory Bird 
Regulations Committee and Flyway Council meetings.
    On June 21-22, 2000, we held meetings that reviewed information on 
the current status of migratory shore and upland game birds and 
developed 2000-01 migratory game bird regulations recommendations for 
these species plus regulations for migratory game birds in Alaska, 
Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands; special September waterfowl 
seasons in designated States; special sea duck seasons in the Atlantic 
Flyway; and extended falconry seasons. In addition, we reviewed and 
discussed preliminary information on the status of waterfowl as the 
information related to the development and selection of the regulatory 
packages for the 2000-01 regular waterfowl seasons. On July 31, we 
published in the Federal Register (65 FR 46840) a third document 
specifically dealing with the proposed frameworks for early-season 
regulations. The July 31 supplement also established the final 
regulatory alternatives for the 2000-01 duck hunting season.
    On August 2-3, 2000, we held meetings, as announced in the April 25 
and June 20 Federal Register, to review the status of waterfowl. On 
August 22, 2000, we published a fourth document (65 FR 51174) that 
dealt specifically with proposed frameworks for the 2000-01 late-season 
migratory bird hunting regulations. On August 23, 2000, we published a 
fifth document in the Federal Register (65 FR 51496) containing final 
frameworks for early migratory bird hunting seasons from which wildlife 
conservation agency officials from the States, Puerto Rico, and the 
Virgin Islands selected early-season hunting dates, hours, areas, and 
limits for the 2000-01 season. On September 1, 2000, we published in 
the Federal Register (65 FR 53492) a sixth document consisting of a 
final rule amending subpart K of title 50 CFR part 20 to set hunting 
seasons, hours, areas, and limits for early seasons. This document 
establishes final frameworks for late-season migratory bird hunting 
regulations for the 2000-01 season.

Population Status and Harvest

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

Review of Public Comments and Flyway Council Recommendations

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

1. Ducks

    Categories used to discuss issues related to duck harvest 
management are: (A) Harvest Strategy Considerations, (B) Regulatory 
Alternatives, (C) Zones and Split Seasons, and (D) Special Seasons/
Species Management. The categories correspond to previously published 
issues/discussion, and only those containing substantial 
recommendations are discussed below.
A. General Harvest Strategy
    Council Recommendations: Beginning with the 2000-01 season, the 
Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyway Councils, in a joint 
recommendation, recommended that the appropriate regulatory alternative 
for duck-hunting seasons in the Atlantic Flyway be based on the status 
of eastern mallards and an objective to maximize long-term harvest. The 
Flyway Councils also recommended that the regulatory choice for all 
other Flyways be based on the

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status of midcontinent mallards and an objective to maximize long-term 
harvest, while maintaining population size above the goal of the North 
American Waterfowl Management Plan. Finally, the Flyway Councils 
recommended further evaluation of the implications of this 
recommendation for other mallard stocks and for other duck species.
    Written Comments: The South Carolina Department of Natural 
Resources and the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife supported 
the Service's decision concerning eastern mallards in the Atlantic 
Flyway. South Carolina also supported further assessment of the 
consequences of this decision for mallard population segments of 
concern, and for other duck species.
    Service Response: Since implementation of Adaptive Harvest 
Management (AHM) in 1995, the regulatory choice for all Flyways has 
been based exclusively on the status of midcontinent mallards. This 
year, we proposed two alternatives for modifying the current AHM 
protocol to account for eastern mallards. Both alternatives allow for a 
different regulatory choice in the Atlantic Flyway than in the 
remainder of the country. The first alternative involves a regulatory 
choice in the Atlantic Flyway based on the status of both eastern and 
midcontinent mallards. The second alternative involves a regulatory 
choice in the Atlantic Flyway that is based exclusively on the status 
of eastern mallards. Both alternatives are expected to increase the 
frequency of liberal regulations in the Atlantic Flyway, because 
eastern mallard biology and the associated harvest-management objective 
suggest allowable harvest rates that are higher than those for 
midcontinent mallards.
    We support the second alternative for the 2000-01 hunting season; 
i.e., that the regulatory choice in the Atlantic Flyway should be based 
exclusively on the status of eastern mallards, and that the regulatory 
choice for the remaining Flyways should be based exclusively on the 
status of midcontinent mallards. We make this recommendation, however, 
with the clear understanding that there must be further assessment of 
the consequences of this decision for mallard population segments of 
concern, and for other duck species. The move to Flyway-specific 
regulations is perhaps the most significant change in duck harvest 
management since the advent of the Flyway system. And the decisions we 
make relative to eastern mallards have important implications for how 
we modify AHM to account for western mallards and for other species 
such as pintails and wood ducks. Therefore, we suggest that the AHM 
Working Group continue to place a high priority on its investigations 
into multiple-stock management.
B. Regulatory Alternatives
    Council Recommendations: The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of 
the Mississippi Flyway Council, and the Atlantic, Central, and Pacific 
Flyway Councils recommended adopting the ``liberal'' alternative for 
the 2000-01 duck hunting season.
    The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway 
Council recommended adoption of the ``liberal'' alternative, except 
that they recommend the framework opening and closing dates in all 
regulations packages be the Saturday nearest September 23 and the 
Sunday nearest January 28, with no penalties in days.
    The Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the 
Mississippi Flyway Council, and the Atlantic, Central, and Pacific 
Flyway Councils recommended, in a joint recommendation, that the Flyway 
Councils and the Service develop, through the AHM Working Group, by 
July 2002, (1) a revised set of guidelines for making changes to AHM 
regulatory options (packages), and (2) a schedule for when changes to 
AHM packages will next be considered.
    Written Comments: The Wildlife Management Institute supported the 
proposed regulations.
    An individual from South Carolina requested a January 31 framework 
closing date, and an individual from Mississippi requested a February 
15 framework closing date.
    An individual from California supported not increasing season 
lengths or bag limits.
    Service Response: The set of regulatory alternatives for this year, 
including specification of season lengths, bag limits, and framework 
dates, was finalized in the July 31 Federal Register. In establishing 
these alternatives, we reiterated our desire to maintain current 
framework-date specifications through the 2002-03 hunting season, or 
until such time that the Flyway Councils can develop an approach that 
adequately addresses the concerns of the Service and a majority of 
States. Based on discussions to date, we are not optimistic that such 
an approach is forthcoming in the short term. Therefore, we support the 
joint Flyway Council recommendation, in which the AHM Working Group is 
charged with developing a set of guidelines and schedule for reviewing 
the current set of regulatory alternatives by July 2002. These 
guidelines should consider all facets of the regulatory alternatives, 
including the desire by some States to extend framework dates beyond 
October 1-January 20.
    For the 2000-01 hunting season, we selected the ``liberal'' 
regulatory alternative (as described in the July 31 supplemental 
proposed rule) for all Flyways, based on 10.5 million midcontinent 
mallards, 2.4 million ponds in Prairie Canada, and 890,000 eastern 
mallards.
C. Zones and Split Seasons
    Council Recommendations: The Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations 
Committees of the Mississippi Flyway Council, and the Atlantic, 
Central, and Pacific Flyway Councils, in a joint recommendation, 
recommended that the Service allow three zones, with two-way splits in 
each zone, as an additional option for duck season configurations in 
2001-2005. In addition, the Flyway Councils recommend that States with 
existing grandfathered status be allowed to retain that status and that 
Alaska be granted greater flexibility to modify its zone and split 
configurations, without loss of grandfathered status, than is 
permissible under the current guidelines. Finally, the Committees and 
Councils recommended that no changes be made regarding the current 
status and guidelines for the High Plains Management Unit.
    Written Comments: The Illinois Department of Natural Resources and 
the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources expressed disappointment 
with the Service's decision to maintain the existing zone and split-
season guidelines. Illinois and Wisconsin supported the joint Flyway 
Council recommendation allowing three zones, with two-way splits in 
each zone, as an additional option for duck season configurations in 
2001-2005.
    The LaCrosse County Conservation Alliance of Wisconsin and several 
individuals from Wisconsin supported the creation of a third zone in 
Wisconsin and the ability to split the season.
    Service Response: Zones and split seasons are ``special 
regulations'' designed to distribute hunting opportunities and harvests 
according to temporal, geographic, and demographic variability in 
waterfowl populations. These regulations are not intended to 
substantially change the pattern of harvest distribution among States 
within a Flyway, nor should these options detrimentally change the 
harvest distribution pattern among species or populations at either the 
State or Flyway level. Most States began to

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experiment with zoning after formal evaluation criteria were put into 
place in 1977. By 1985, 36 States used zones or 3-way split seasons for 
duck seasons. To address the proliferations in these seasons, in 1985 
we placed a moratorium on further use of these special regulations 
until a review could be completed. In 1990, we completed a 
comprehensive review of these special regulations. This review of over 
40 assessments of splits and zones had equivocal results. The vast 
majority of these experiments failed to provide evidence of significant 
impacts on duck populations. However, we found that most studies were 
inconclusive because of poor selection and unreliable estimation of 
response variables, lack of statistical tests to differentiate between 
real and perceived changes, and an inability to establish adequate 
experimental controls.
    Based on this review, we established a long-term strategy for the 
use of zones and split options. The purpose of this strategy was to 
limit both the number of options and the frequency that modifications 
could be made. These controls or guidelines were deemed necessary to 
preserve and enhance our ability to regulate and evaluate harvest 
pressure on ducks. Changes in seasons would be limited to 5-year 
intervals, with the first ``open season'' in 1991, the second in 1996, 
and the third will be next year.
    When the zone/split-season guidelines were established in 1990, 
most States with zone/split arrangements were using one of the three 
options established. Some States, however, had completed experiments 
with different zone/split arrangements and had fulfilled the reporting 
requirements for these experiments. These arrangements included three, 
four, and five zones with two-way splits in each zone. These States 
were offered a one-time chance to grandfather those arrangements, with 
the provision that if they ever wanted to change them, their zoning 
arrangement would have to conform to one of the three options offered 
under the guidelines.
    In 1996, the guidelines were modified to allow greater flexibility 
in season structures within the three options established in 1990. We 
maintain that the current guidelines achieve their intended objectives, 
while allowing States sufficient flexibility to address differences in 
physiography, climate, etc., and therefore, believe that the guidelines 
need not be changed.
D. Special Seasons/Species Management
i. Black Ducks
    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended 
that all Atlantic Flyway States be allowed to offer one black duck in 
the daily bag limit for up to 60 days, provided each State achieve a 
minimum 25 percent harvest reduction from the 1977-81 base period.
    Written Comments: An individual from Delaware expressed concern 
about population trends of interior nesting and wintering black ducks 
in the Mississippi Flyway and questioned the continued harvest of these 
birds.
    Service Response: We believe that the current level of harvest 
reduction on black ducks, achieved since the 1983 Environmental 
Assessment, should be maintained as a conservation measure. The harvest 
strategy has been supported and maintained for many years by the 
Atlantic Flyway Council and, in the absence of a revised strategy, is 
consistent with our objective to improve the status of black duck 
populations. Black ducks continue to be a species of concern and remain 
below the population objective. We believe that a conservative approach 
to harvesting black ducks is appropriate until an international harvest 
strategy is agreed upon between Canada and the United States. We would 
encourage the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway Councils to work 
cooperatively with the Service and Canada to develop and implement an 
international harvest strategy as soon as possible.
    Regarding the Mississippi Flyway, we recognize the problems 
associated with interior breeding and wintering black ducks and 
continue to monitor their status. These concerns will be considered 
within the international harvest strategy currently being developed.
ii. Canvasbacks
    Council Recommendations: All four Flyway Councils recommended a 
daily bag limit of one canvasback in the 2000-01 hunting season as 
prescribed by the Canvasback Harvest Strategy.
    Service Response: We continue to support the harvest strategy 
adopted in 1994. However, harvest data collected since the 
implementation of the strategy indicate that observed harvests in the 
United States and Canada tend to be higher than those currently used in 
the population model, some of which were based on data collected 
several decades ago. We believe that more contemporary estimates would 
better reflect current harvest pressure. Therefore, as we stated last 
year and consistent with our April proposal (65 FR 24264), we have 
replaced the old harvest values with the average of harvests observed 
during the 1994-97 hunting seasons. Even when accounting for the higher 
harvest levels, current population and habitat status suggest that a 
daily bag limit of one canvasback per day during the 2000-01 season 
will result in a harvest within levels allowed by the strategy. We will 
continue to monitor the harvest strategy performance.
iii. Pintails
    Council Recommendations: All four Flyway Councils recommended a 
daily bag limit of one pintail in the 2000-01 hunting season as 
prescribed by the Interim Pintail Harvest Strategy.
    Service Response: We recommend the continued use of the interim 
harvest strategy for a fourth year. Considering the current status of 
the population (2.9 million breeding birds) and the expected 
recruitment rate (0.76), the strategy prescribes a bag limit of one 
pintail for all Flyways under the liberal alternative.
iv. Scaup
    Council Recommendations: The Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations 
Committees of the Mississippi Flyway Council, and the Atlantic and 
Central Flyway Councils recommended a daily bag limit of three scaup 
for the 2000-01 hunting season.
    The Pacific Flyway Council recommended a daily bag limit of four 
scaup in the Pacific Flyway for the 2000-01 hunting season.
    Service Response: In 1999, we restricted the daily bag limit of 
scaup to three in the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyways and to 
four in the Pacific Flyway and indicated we would work with the Flyway 
Councils to develop a scaup harvest management strategy. Only limited 
progress toward a strategy has been made, and further technical work is 
needed; it is too early to judge the effects of the harvest restriction 
with only 1 year's data. This year, we propose to continue the 
restrictions put in place last year and ask the Flyway Councils to 
direct their technical committees to continue dialog with us, building 
toward a consensus strategy to guide harvest management.

4. Canada Geese

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

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the harvest of Mississippi Valley Population (MVP) Canada geese.
    The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway 
Council also recommended several changes in season lengths, quotas, 
etc., primarily to allow a small increase in the harvest of MVP Canada 
geese. The Committee also recommended a 23-day season statewide in 
Arkansas, a 7-day increase in the west zone. The previous 16-day season 
and the remainder of the State closure were self-imposed by the State. 
All of these changes are based on improved population status and 
current management plans. The Committee further recommended that in 
Tennessee, in lieu of tagging in the Kentucky/Barkley Lakes Zone, all 
geese harvested must be taken to designated check stations and checked 
officially.
    The Pacific Flyway Council made several recommendations for Canada 
geese. The Council recommended that the Flyway-wide prohibition of take 
of Aleutian Canada geese be removed if the Service completes the 
delisting process. Existing special management areas in Oregon and 
California, closed to take of Canada geese to protect Aleutians and 
reduce the harvest of cackling geese, will be maintained until a 
population objective and harvest strategy are established by the 
Council. The Council also recommended that, in a Service-approved 
investigation, the State must obtain quantitative information on hunter 
compliance (mandatory check stations) of those regulations aimed at 
reducing the take of dusky Canada geese. Lastly, the Council 
recommended some minor modifications to the cackling Canada goose 
frameworks.
    Service Response: We concur with the recommended changes in the 
Mississippi Flyway. Most of these changes are based on the improved 
population status of MVP geese and are consistent with the current 
management plan.
    Regarding the recommendation from the Pacific Flyway Council on 
Aleutian Canada geese, since delisting is not final at this time, we do 
not see how the removal of all restrictions on the take of Aleutian 
Canada geese could be accomplished this year. In addition, 
administrative concerns would also need to be addressed. We note, 
however, that we support the general intent of this recommendation, 
which is not to increase the harvest level of Aleutian Canada geese, 
but to remove the take prohibition in those portions of the affected 
States where Aleutian Canada geese are only infrequently encountered. 
However, we do not believe that the changes can be accommodated during 
this regulations cycle. We also appreciate the timely and efficient 
manner in which the Pacific Flyway has completed the management plan 
for this species. This plan will serve as an excellent road-map to the 
future for this species.
    Regarding dusky Canada geese, we understand the importance of 
maintaining hunting opportunities in the dusky Canada goose quota zones 
in Washington and Oregon. Additionally, we recognize this is a shared 
responsibility and one the States and Federal Government have actively 
supported since the inception of the quota zones. However, we want to 
be clear about the need to monitor the harvest for any goose season to 
be held in this area. We believe that both the Flyway Council and the 
Service are in agreement that monitoring is a necessary condition of 
these seasons, based on the recommendation submitted by the Pacific 
Flyway Council. We intend to continue to work with the Pacific Flyway 
Council and the affected States to avoid season closures. However, 
States must agree to promptly close all goose seasons in this zone 
should monitoring programs be eliminated for any reason.
    We concur with the recommended framework modifications for cackling 
Canada geese.
C. Special Late Seasons
    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended a 
change to the southern boundary of the late season Coastal zone 
boundary in Massachusetts and a change to the boundary of the late 
season special Canada goose southern zone in New Jersey.
    The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway 
Council recommended that the experimental late season for Canada geese 
in the Central Michigan Goose Management Unit be continued for 1 year 
to allow completion of data analysis and additional data collection.
    Service Response: We concur with all the recommended changes.

5. White-Fronted Geese

    Council Recommendations: The Central Flyway Council recommended 
that the season length for Mid-continent White-fronted geese in the 
East Tier be 95 days, except for the Eastern Goose Zone of Texas where 
it would be unchanged (86 days).
    Service Response: We believe that equitable hunting opportunity 
between the Mississippi Flyway and the East Tier of the Central Flyway 
is appropriate because Mid-continent white-fronted geese are managed as 
one population. This equitable approach is consistent with the ``base 
regulations'' identified in the cooperative management plan. Finally, 
in the absence of any guidance for liberalizations, we believe that 
this level of liberalization should be viewed as the ``liberal 
alternative'' beyond the ``base regulations'' identified in the 
management plan for these harvest areas. Thus, we do not support the 
proposed increase of 9 days.

7. Snow and Ross' Geese

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended 
that following the close of the duck season, New Jersey be allowed 
additional splits in the coastal zone snow goose season to accommodate 
a special hunt at Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge impoundments. They 
further recommended that the experimental seasons established last year 
in Maryland and Delaware be allowed to continue for another year.
    The Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the 
Mississippi Flyway Council, and the Atlantic and Central Flyway 
Councils, recommended that baiting regulations for light geese, when 
all other waterfowl, except falconry, seasons are closed and during the 
Light Goose Conservation Order during the 2000-01 season (prior to 
completion of the Environmental Impact Statement [EIS]), be the same as 
those currently implemented for doves.
    Service Response: We endorse the request by New Jersey to allow 
additional split seasons in their coastal zone following the close of 
their duck season. Last year, we approved an increase in the number of 
split seasons in Delaware and Maryland for the 1999-00 season to 
provide temporary relief. We agreed to explore its effectiveness in 
reducing agricultural damage and wetland degradation by requiring an 
evaluation prior to this year's approval. Also, we asked both States to 
seek landowner support by allowing hunters access on their fields to 
hunt snow geese. We believe that New Jersey should be afforded the same 
opportunity to determine the effectiveness of this measure to reduce 
wetland degradations and agricultural damages. This provision is 
experimental and granted for 1 year only, pending an evaluation. We 
further support the request from Maryland and Delaware to continue a 
multiple split season format for another year on an experimental basis 
in lieu of an evaluation report.
    Regarding baiting regulations for light geese, baiting regulations 
for the ``light goose only'' portions of the regular

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

8. Swans

    Council Recommendations: The Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations 
Committees of the Mississippi Flyway Council, and the Atlantic, 
Central, and Pacific Flyway Councils, in a joint recommendation, asked 
that States with Eastern Population (EP) tundra swan hunting seasons be 
allowed to issue a second swan permit to interested resident and 
nonresident hunters from permits remaining after the initial drawing.
    The Pacific Flyway Council recommended no change, with one 
exception, from last year's frameworks for tundra swan seasons in the 
Pacific Flyway. The single change proposed is for a 1-week extension in 
season framework dates in Utah.
    Written Comments: The Trumpeter Swan Society (TTSS) voiced concerns 
about the lack of interim management strategies to address the 
longstanding winter distribution problems facing the Rocky Mountain 
Population (RMP) of trumpeter swans. TTSS also questioned the plan to 
include the Bear River National Wildlife Refuge in Utah in the area 
open to tundra swan hunting during the three-year experiment. 
Additionally, TTSS requested clarification of the objectives for the 
three-year experiment proposed for Utah. In the discussion related to 
these issues, TTSS made numerous statements and assertions that relate 
to the past history and the present understanding of the management 
situation for RMP trumpeter swans in the Pacific Flyway.
    The Biodiversity Legal Foundation (BLF) suggested that their recent 
petition to list a portion of the RMP of trumpeter swans as an 
endangered or threatened species (under the distinct population segment 
guidelines) be considered in the decision to allow swan hunting in 
Utah. The BLF pointed to the drought conditions that have existed 
throughout much of the west this year as posing an increased risk to 
trumpeter swans throughout the region and therefore the limited harvest 
of trumpeter swans proposed for the tundra swan seasons in Utah 
particularly, should not be permitted. The BLF also raised a number of 
issues pertaining to specific hunting practices on Bear River National 
Wildlife Refuge.
    The Fund for Animals (The Fund) and the BLF, in a joint subsequent 
letter, reiterated many of the points made by the BLF and added several 
comments regarding the Service's role and responsibility under various 
legislation for migratory bird conservation. The BLF in a subsequent 
letter indicated a general concern over trumpeter swan conservation 
efforts and conflicts with swan hunting in the contiguous U.S., 
including the Central and Atlantic Flyways. The BLF pointed out that 
tundra swan seasons were occurring in the Central and Atlantic Flyways 
without requiring trumpeter swan monitoring programs. The BLF believes 
that all trumpeter swans in the contiguous U.S. should be designated as 
threatened or endangered and that they must receive special protection 
and nurturing.
    Seven hundred and twenty-two individuals wrote to object to the 
hunting of trumpeter swans.
    Service Response: We support the Joint Flyway Recommendation that 
would allow States with EP tundra swan seasons to issue a second 
hunting permit to hunters, if permits from the initial drawing were 
unused. This issuance of a second permit would be allowed only if there 
are no outstanding requests for additional permits and with the 
concurrence of participating States. In accordance with the Flyways' 
approved Hunt Plan, any unused portion of these permits is available 
for temporary redistribution to participating States upon request. 
Issuance of a second permit to a hunter by a State is subject to 
evaluation to determine success rates and must be identified in the 
State's annual report to the Service.
    Regarding the general swan seasons in the Pacific Flyway, we 
recently addressed this issue in an environmental assessment to 
reconcile conflicting strategies for managing two swan species in the 
Pacific Flyway. The assessment evaluated the following strategies: (1) 
To enhance the winter distribution of the less abundant RMP trumpeter 
swans (Cygnus buccinator) by severely restricting or eliminating tundra 
swan (C. columbianus) hunting, or both, in portions of the Pacific 
Flyway currently open to tundra swan hunting; and (2) to optimize 
hunting of the more numerous and widely distributed Western Population 
(WP) of tundra swans in the Pacific Flyway by not further restricting 
hunting seasons to benefit the winter distribution of trumpeter swans. 
The preferred alternative identified in the EA proposed a balance 
between these two competing strategies by continuing on an operational 
basis a general swan season in portions of Montana and Nevada and 
proposing a new 3-year experiment in Utah. The experimental hunt in 
Utah would be based on further reductions in the swan season that would 
allow the continued taking of any species of swan (Cygnus sp.) subject 
to: (1) A limited, but biologically acceptable, quota on the take of 
trumpeter swans, and (2) modification of the already limited take and 
restricted seasons on tundra swans to enhance the likelihood that 
trumpeter swans would be successful in expanding their winter range; 
and (3) a program to monitor the effectiveness of this action. We would 
continue with our participation in the State-Federal effort to enhance 
the winter distribution of trumpeter swans.
    More specifically, implementation of the preferred alternative 
would allow us to continue to establish a hunting season on all swan 
species in designated portions of Montana and Nevada, within the 
Pacific Flyway. Current constraints imposed upon these swan hunting 
seasons would be continued, and specific areas open to swan hunting in 
Montana and Nevada would remain. Additionally, we would continue to 
require the monitoring of swan harvests, by mail in Montana, and by 
examination in Nevada, with appropriate provisions for season closure 
to be implemented by States should assigned quotas of trumpeter swans 
be reached.
    In Utah, we would continue the area and time restrictions imposed 
since 1995 while also implementing further limitations on areas where 
tundra swan hunting is allowed. More specifically, we would close all 
lands north of the Bear River National Wildlife Refuge (Bear River NWR) 
to all swan hunting in Utah, reduce the quota on allowable take of 
trumpeter swans in Utah from 15 to 10, and reduce the number of tundra 
swan permits issued in Utah from 2,750

[[Page 58157]]

to 2,000. We would also extend the framework closing date from the 
first to the second Sunday in December.
    In the EA, comments identified the potential impact of harvest in 
Utah as the main issue regarding appropriate management action needed 
to address the winter distribution problem of RMP trumpeter swans. 
These comments indicated that there is a wide disparity of opinion on 
the actual impact of this limited harvest on the redistribution of RMP 
trumpeter swans. Given the uncertainty and disparate views on this 
particular issue, the preferred alternative establishes a new 3-year 
experiment to assess the impacts of these further restrictions in Utah. 
During this time, we would request the States, through the Pacific 
Flyway Council, other Federal agencies, and interested non-governmental 
organizations, to participate with the Service in development of a 
comprehensive implementation plan for addressing specific issues 
regarding RMP trumpeter swan management in this region. We will 
complete our portion of this implementation plan during 2001, and will 
request the other cooperators to complete their portions no later than 
July 2002. This plan and results from the new 3-year experiment will 
serve as the basis for our evaluation of this new experiment.
    Additionally, we will assume a leadership role in attempting to 
enhance trumpeter swan status and breeding distribution within the 
Pacific Flyway, through increased efforts directed at establishment of 
breeding trumpeter swans in suitable habitats throughout the Pacific 
Flyway. We would continue to support cooperative efforts to address the 
winter distribution issues by working with the States and other 
partners. We would also support limited winter capture and 
translocation on a case-by-case basis when circumstances developed that 
seemed to warrant such activity. We do not plan to employ winter 
translocations as the main method to address the winter distribution 
problem of RMP trumpeter swans, but rather as a method to limit risk to 
swans from direct over-winter mortality, if necessary.
    While we recognize that the Pacific Flyway Council does not believe 
adequate data exist to support the restrictions in Utah, others believe 
the data support even greater restrictions within the States. We urge 
the Council to view the next 3-year experimental period in Utah as an 
opportunity to improve this situation. We trust the Council will work 
with us to complete this plan and begin to implement actions that will 
help address this problem so that we are not faced with a similar 
situation in 3 years.
    Regarding the comments by TTSS, BLF, The Fund, and others, we have 
responded to the general question of swan hunting and tundra swan 
hunting related to the increasing number of trumpeter swans in our 
recent EA. In general, we continue to support tundra swan hunting and 
trumpeter swan restoration efforts. We do not view these activities as 
mutually exclusive and, as indicated, do not view the occasional 
harvest of a trumpeter swan in existing tundra swan seasons as 
sufficient reason for suspension of tundra swan hunting. Conversely, we 
remain committed to limiting the take of trumpeter swans in these 
seasons and modifying these seasons to protect trumpeter swan 
populations, but not individuals. We want to make clear that trumpeter 
swans in North America have been increasing steadily both in numbers 
and geographic distribution during the past several decades. Further, 
we have recognized three populations of trumpeter swans for management 
purposes in North America and each of these populations is following 
this same trend of steady numeric increases during the past several 
decades. We have acknowledged and discussed in considerable detail in 
all documents pertaining to this issue the fact that these general 
population trends do not apply equally to all components of the three 
recognized populations.
    With regard to specific points raised by TTSS, we note that our 
current EA does contain three strategies for addressing some of the 
management challenges faced by RMP trumpeter swans. These actions 
include: (1) Continued hazing and habitat modification to make the 
current wintering concentration area less attractive; (2) active 
reintroduction of trumpeter swans throughout the Pacific Flyway to both 
enhance numbers and develop new migration pathways as have been 
recently accomplished with releases in Wyoming and (3) cessation of the 
winter feeding program at Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. 
Beyond these actions, we do not believe interim strategies should be 
employed without benefit of completing the proposed implementation 
plan. We believe the proposed implementation plan will provide 
additional activities that will constructively address this situation 
and plan to implement these strategies as soon as possible. However, we 
do not believe interim actions in advance of the proposed plan are 
likely to improve the current situation.
    Objectives for the 3-year experimental season proposed for Utah are 
to: (1) Determine if closing additional areas in Utah to swan hunting 
increases the number of trumpeter swans passing through the State, and 
(2) determine the temporal and geographic distribution of trumpeter 
swans that are taken in the modified tundra swan season. We note that 
the new area proposed for closure is the area where the majority of 
(non-translocated) trumpeter swans were harvested during the past 5-
year experiment. We believe that the limited evidence available at this 
point suggests that trumpeter and tundra swans may well use slightly 
different habitats when present in Utah and thus further 
experimentation is warranted to evaluate this possibility.
    Additionally, we do not agree with the position that tundra swan 
hunting activities at Bear River NWR have precluded either 
consideration or actual use of habitats, on the refuge or elsewhere in 
Utah, to help address the winter distribution of RMP trumpeter swans. 
Releases at Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge in Utah were 
conducted and failed due to disease problems, not hunting activities, 
during the past 5-year experiment. Like all National Wildlife Refuges 
with hunting programs, Bear River NWR contains substantial areas of 
habitat that are not open to hunting and provides sanctuary throughout 
the season. In addition, we note that most of the State has been closed 
to all swan hunting. Tundra swans have not altered their migratory 
behavior through Utah since the reinstitution of hunting in 1962 and we 
do not necessarily see a direct connection between hunting activities 
and migratory behavior in swans. We are skeptical that small numbers of 
trumpeter swans moving to and through Utah will ever lead to a 
meaningful shift in the winter distribution of RMP trumpeter swans, 
unless other management strategies are also employed that lead to 
increased dispersal. We would also note that, as desirable as it is to 
all concerned parties believe it is that the existing concentration be 
altered, no mechanism to accomplish this is apparent, and most efforts 
that have been tried to date have met with limited success at best. The 
reality of the situation is that we do not know how to ``make'' these 
swans migrate to Utah, or to any other area. This reality is the basis 
for our preferred approach of establishing new trumpeter swan breeding 
concentrations with alternative migratory strategies. We believe this 
approach is one that has proven successful with swans and other 
waterfowl species throughout North America in the past. Further, we 
question the degree of threat posed by

[[Page 58158]]

the current limited winter distribution to RMP trumpeter swans in 
general. We note that only one die-off has occurred during the past 
twelve years, and the RMP of trumpeter swans has continued to increase 
throughout this period.
    Many of the comments by the BLF and The Fund are addressed above. 
However, three specific points are not: (1) The possibility that a 
portion of the RMP trumpeter swans should be considered as a distinct 
population segment and would qualify for protection under the 
Endangered Species Act; (2) that current drought conditions existing 
throughout much of the western U.S. have created an emergency situation 
that would preclude the limited trumpeter swan harvest proposed for 
Utah this year; and (3) that the Service has failed to adequately 
explain how they have determined the proposed regulations are 
consistent with trumpeter swan conservation.
    With regard to the first point, we have not historically recognized 
the group of trumpeter swans nesting in the tristate region of Montana, 
Wyoming, and Idaho as a distinct and separate manageable entity within 
RMP trumpeter swans. The information provided by the BLF will be 
evaluated along with other existing information under our normal 
procedures for dealing with listing petitions under the Endangered 
Species Act. Should this review result in an alteration of current 
Service policy, we would reevaluate our current season proposal in 
light of the findings of such a review. At this point, we cannot 
prejudge this action, and therefore will proceed based on the current 
assessment and definition of trumpeter swan populations, one that does 
not recognize this group as a separate entity. The RMP of trumpeter 
swans is increasing at a rate of 6 percent a year and currently numbers 
about 3,500, the highest level since the beginning of monitoring. In 
addition, despite a decline that was primarily associated with the 
cessation of winter feeding in 1992 in the area identified by the BLF 
as a separate entity, numbers in this region remained relatively stable 
during the preceding 5-year experiment (1995-2000). This allowed a 
limited harvest of trumpeter swans in Montana, Utah, and Nevada. Based 
on the experience of the past 5 years, we do not believe that the 
continuation of hunting, with further restrictions both in area and 
total swan harvest in Utah, poses a threat to RMP trumpeter swans, nor 
would these regulations pose a serious jeopardy to the proposed 
distinct population segment, should the review find that this group 
should be so designated.
    With regard to the current drought situation in the West, we 
recognize once more that waterfowl distributions and migratory behavior 
are often impacted by weather events. Migratory birds are among the 
most resilient groups of animals in their ability to react to such 
changing conditions. We see no imminent threat in this year's 
conditions that would lead us to view this situation as more serious 
than in previous years. The controls put in place on the seasons will 
result in season closure if 10 trumpeter swans are harvested in Utah. 
Should weather events result in an unexpected mass movement of 
trumpeter swans into the open hunt area, we believe that the 10 bird 
closure limit will ensure that no harm is suffered by the population as 
a whole.
    With regard to the last point, we believe that in both our 
evaluation report of the 5-year experiment and the EA on this subject, 
we have carefully considered the possible population impacts of the 
limited harvest of trumpeter swans. Clearly, the fact that numbers of 
RMP trumpeter swans continued to increase during the 5-year experiment 
supports our position that such limited harvest poses no risk to the 
population as a whole. Additionally, the component of RMP trumpeter 
swans nesting in the Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho area remained 
relatively stable during this period, suggesting no negative impact of 
the limited harvest. If we assume that the various components of the 
population would be proportionally distributed in any harvest, we would 
estimate that only about two trumpeter swans from this region would 
likely be included in the annual harvest, even if the quotas were 
reached in both Utah and Nevada. We do not believe such an annual loss 
poses a risk to the population, or to any segment within the 
population, that has been suggested to date.
    Finally, we continue to support conservation programs that promote 
trumpeter swan restoration to portions of their historic range in the 
contiguous U.S. Current trumpeter swan restoration programs in the 
Central and Mississippi Flyways are being guided by the Cooperative 
Management Plan for the Interior Population of trumpeter swans. This 
plan acknowledges potential conflict with tundra swan hunting programs; 
however, incidental take of trumpeter swans has not been shown to 
negatively impact ongoing restoration programs. The most recent 
population status information indicates an average annual growth rate 
of 15 percent, which is consistent with the growth objectives 
established for this population. Tundra swan hunting programs, 
including annual permit allocation and monitoring requirements in both 
Flyways are consistent with guidelines established in the Cooperative 
Management Plan for the Eastern Population of Tundra Swans. Trumpeter 
swans are protected in all hunt areas in the Central and Atlantic 
Flyways.
    The comments regarding refuge-specific hunting practices are not 
applicable to this rulemaking and have been forwarded to the Bear River 
Refuge for consideration.
    Copies of the evaluation, the EA, and the Finding of No Significant 
Impact are available at the address indicated under the caption 
ADDRESSES or from our website at http://migratorybirds.fws.gov.

NEPA Consideration

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

Endangered Species Act Consideration

    Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, as amended (16 U.S.C. 
1531-1543; 87 Stat. 884), provides that, ``The Secretary shall review 
other programs administered by him and utilize such programs in 
furtherance of the purposes of this Act'' (and) shall ``insure that any 
action authorized, funded or carried out * * * is not likely to 
jeopardize the continued existence of any endangered species or 
threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse modification 
of [critical] habitat * * *'' Consequently, we conducted formal 
consultations to ensure that actions resulting from these regulations 
would not likely jeopardize the continued existence of endangered or 
threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse modification 
of their critical habitat. Findings from these consultations are 
included in a biological opinion and concluded that the regulations are 
not likely to adversely affect any endangered or

[[Page 58159]]

threatened species. Additionally, these findings may have caused 
modification of some regulatory measures previously proposed and the 
final frameworks reflect any such modifications. Our biological 
opinions resulting from its Section 7 consultation are public documents 
available for public inspection in the Service's Division of Endangered 
Species and DMBM, at the address indicated under the caption ADDRESSES.

Executive Order (E.O.) 12866

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

Regulatory Flexibility Act

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

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act

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

Paperwork Reduction Act

    We examined these regulations under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995. We utilize the various recordkeeping and reporting requirements 
imposed under regulations established in 50 CFR part 20, Subpart K, in 
the formulation of migratory game bird hunting regulations. 
Specifically, OMB has approved the information collection requirements 
of the Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program and assigned 
clearance number 1018-0015 (expires 9/30/2001). This information is 
used to provide a sampling frame for voluntary national surveys to 
improve our harvest estimates for all migratory game birds in order to 
better manage these populations. OMB has also approved the information 
collection requirements of the Sandhill Crane Harvest Questionnaire and 
assigned clearance number 1018-0023 (expires 7/30/2003). The 
information from this survey is used to estimate the magnitude and the 
geographical and temporal distribution of harvest, and the portion it 
constitutes of the total population.
    A Federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not 
required to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays 
a currently valid OMB control number.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

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

Civil Justice Reform--Executive Order 12988

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

Takings Implication Assessment

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

Federalism Effects

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

Regulations Promulgation

    The rulemaking process for migratory game bird hunting must, by its 
nature, operate under severe time constraints. However, we intend that 
the public be given the greatest possible opportunity to comment. Thus, 
when the preliminary proposed rulemaking was published, we established 
what we believed were the longest periods possible for public comment. 
In doing this, we recognized that when the comment period closed, time 
would be of the essence. That is, if there were a delay in the 
effective date of these regulations after this final rulemaking, States 
would have insufficient time to select season dates and limits; to 
communicate those selections to us; and to establish and publicize the 
necessary regulations and procedures to implement their decisions. We 
therefore find that ``good cause'' exists, within the terms of 5 U.S.C. 
553(d)(3) of the Administrative Procedure Act, and these frameworks 
will, therefore, take effect immediately upon publication.
    Therefore, under authority of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (July 
3, 1918),

[[Page 58160]]

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

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 20

    Exports, Hunting, Imports, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Transportation, Wildlife.

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

    Dated: September 15, 2000.
Stephen C. Saunders,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.

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

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

General

    Dates: All outside dates noted below are inclusive.
    Shooting and Hawking (taking by falconry) Hours: Unless otherwise 
specified, from one-half hour before sunrise to sunset daily.
    Possession Limits: Unless otherwise specified, possession limits 
are twice the daily bag limit.

Flyways and Management Units

Waterfowl Flyways

    Atlantic Flyway--includes Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, 
Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, 
North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, 
Virginia, and West Virginia.
    Mississippi Flyway--includes Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, 
Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, 
Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.
    Central Flyway--includes Colorado (east of the Continental Divide), 
Kansas, Montana (Counties of Blaine, Carbon, Fergus, Judith Basin, 
Stillwater, Sweetgrass, Wheatland, and all counties east thereof), 
Nebraska, New Mexico (east of the Continental Divide except the 
Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation), North Dakota, Oklahoma, South 
Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming (east of the Continental Divide).
    Pacific Flyway--includes Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, 
Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and those portions of Colorado, 
Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming not included in the Central Flyway.

Management Units

    High Plains Mallard Management Unit--roughly defined as that 
portion of the Central Flyway which lies west of the 100th meridian.
    Definitions: For the purpose of hunting regulations listed below, 
the collective terms ``dark'' and ``light'' geese include the following 
species:
    Dark geese--Canada geese, white-fronted geese, brant, and all other 
goose species except light geese.
    Light geese--snow (including blue) geese and Ross' geese.
    Area, Zone, and Unit Descriptions: Geographic descriptions related 
to late-season regulations are contained in a later portion of this 
document.
    Area-Specific Provisions: Frameworks for open seasons, season 
lengths, bag and possession limits, and other special provisions are 
listed below by Flyway.
    Compensatory Days in the Atlantic Flyway: In the Atlantic Flyway 
States of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New 
Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia, 
where Sunday hunting is prohibited statewide by State law, all Sundays 
are closed to all take of migratory waterfowl (including mergansers and 
coots).

Atlantic Flyway

Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots

    Outside Dates: Between October 1 and January 20.
    Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: 60 days and daily bag limit of 6 
ducks, including no more than 4 mallards (2 hens), 3 scaup, 1 black 
duck, 1 pintail, 1 mottled duck, 1 fulvous whistling duck, 2 wood 
ducks, 2 redheads, 1 canvasback, and 4 scoters.
    Closures: The season on harlequin ducks is closed.
    Sea Ducks: Within the special sea duck areas, during the regular 
duck season in the Atlantic Flyway, States may choose to allow the 
above sea duck limits in addition to the limits applying to other ducks 
during the regular duck season. In all other areas, sea ducks may be 
taken only during the regular open season for ducks and are part of the 
regular duck season daily bag (not to exceed 4 scoters) and possession 
limits.
    Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit of mergansers is 5, only 1 of 
which may be a hooded merganser.
    Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 coots.
    Lake Champlain Zone, New York: The waterfowl seasons, limits, and 
shooting hours shall be the same as those selected for the Lake 
Champlain Zone of Vermont.
    Zoning and Split Seasons: Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, 
North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Virginia may split 
their seasons into three segments; Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, 
New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and West 
Virginia may select hunting seasons by zones and may split their 
seasons into two segments in each zone.

Canada Geese

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

Connecticut

    North Atlantic Population (NAP) Zone: A 40-day season may be held 
between October 1 and December 15 with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
    Atlantic Population (AP) Zone: A 15-day season may be held 
concurrent with the duck season between November 1 and January 20 with 
a 1-bird daily bag limit.
    South Zone: A special experimental season may be held between 
January 15 and February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
    Delaware: A 6-day season may be held concurrent with the duck 
season between November 15 and January 20 with a 1-bird daily bag limit 
(tagging required to harvest). The harvest of Canada geese is limited 
to 2,100.
    Florida: A 70-day season may be held between November 15 and 
February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
    Georgia: In specific areas, a 70-day season may be held between 
November 15 and February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.

[[Page 58161]]

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

Maryland

    Southern James Bay Population (SJBP) Zone: A 40-day season may be 
held between November 15 and January 14, with a 2-bird daily bag limit. 
The season may be split 3-ways. Additionally, an experimental season 
may be held from January 15 to February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag 
limit.
    AP Zone: A 6-day season may be held concurrent with the duck season 
between November 15 and January 20 with a 1-bird daily bag limit 
(tagging required to harvest). The harvest of Canada geese is limited 
to 12,200.

Massachusetts

    NAP Zone: A 40-day season may be held between October 1 and 
December 15 with a 2-bird daily bag limit. Additionally, a special 
season may be held from January 15 to February 15, with a 5-bird daily 
bag limit.
    AP Zone: A 15-day season may be held concurrent with the duck 
season between November 1 and January 20 with a 1-bird daily bag limit.
    New Hampshire: A 40-day season may be held statewide between 
October 1 and December 15 with a 2-bird daily bag limit.

New Jersey

    Statewide: A 15-day season may be held concurrent with the duck 
season between November 1 and January 20 with a 1-bird daily bag limit.
    Special Late Goose Season Area: An experimental season may be held 
in designated areas of North and South New Jersey from January 15 to 
February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.

New York

    SJBP Zone: A 70-day season may be held between November 1 and 
January 30, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
    NAP Zone: A 40-day season may be held between October 1 and 
December 31 with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
    Special Late Goose Season Area: An experimental season may be held 
between January 15 and February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit in 
designated areas of Chemung, Delaware, Tioga, Broome, Sullivan, 
Westchester, Nassau, Suffolk, Orange, Dutchess, Putnam, and Rockland 
Counties.
    AP Zone: A 15-day season may be held concurrent with the duck 
season between November 1 and January 20 with a 1-bird daily bag limit.
    North Carolina: A 46-day season may be held between October 1 and 
November 15, with a 2-bird daily bag limit Statewide, except for the 
Northeast Hunt Unit and Northampton County.

Pennsylvania

    SJBP Zone: A 40-day season may be held between November 15 and 
January 14, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
    AP Zone: A 15-day season may be held concurrent with the duck 
season between November 1 and January 20 with a 1-bird daily bag limit.
    Special Late Goose Season Area: An experimental season may be held 
from January 15 to February 15 with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
    Pymatuning Zone: A 35-day season may be held between October 1 and 
January 20, with a 1-bird daily bag limit.
    Rhode Island: A 40-day season may be held between October 1 and 
December 15 with a 2-bird daily bag limit. An experimental season may 
be held in a designated area from January 15 to February 15, with a 5-
bird daily bag limit.
    South Carolina: In designated areas, a 70-day season may be held 
during November 15 to February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
    Vermont: A 15-day season may be held concurrent with the duck 
season between November 1 and January 20 with a 1-bird daily bag limit.

Virginia

    SJBP Zone: A 40-day season may be held between November 15 and 
January 14, with a 2-bird daily bag limit. Additionally, an 
experimental season may be held between January 15 and February 15, 
with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
    AP Zone: A 6-day season may be held concurrent with the duck season 
between November 15 and January 20 with a 1-bird daily bag limit.
    Back Bay Area: Season is closed.
    West Virginia: A 70-day season may be held between October 1 and 
January 31, with a 3-bird daily bag limit.

Light Geese

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

Brant

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

Mississippi Flyway

Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots

    Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest October 1 (September 
30) and the Sunday nearest January 20 (January 21). Seasons in Alabama, 
Mississippi, and Tennessee may extend to January 31.
    Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: 60 days (51 days in Alabama, 
Mississippi, and Tennessee), with a daily bag limit of 6 ducks, 
including no more than 4 mallards (no more than 2 of which may be 
females), 3 mottled ducks, 3 scaup, 1 black duck, 1 pintail, 2 wood 
ducks, 1 canvasback, and 2 redheads.
    Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit is 5, only 1 of which may be 
a hooded merganser. In States that include mergansers in the duck bag 
limit, the daily limit is the same as the duck bag limit, only one of 
which may be a hooded merganser.
    Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 coots.
    Zoning and Split Seasons: Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, 
Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, 
and Wisconsin may select hunting seasons by zones.
    In Alabama, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, 
Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin, the season may be split 
into two segments in each zone.
    In Minnesota and Arkansas, the season may be split into three 
segments.

Geese

    Split Seasons: Seasons for geese may be split into three segments. 
Three-way split seasons for Canada geese require Mississippi Flyway 
Council and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approval, and a 3-year 
evaluation, by each participating State.
    Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select 
seasons for light geese not to exceed 107 days with 20 geese daily 
between the Saturday nearest October 1 (September 30) and March 10; for 
white-fronted geese not to exceed 86 days with 2 geese daily or 107 
days with 1 goose daily between the Saturday nearest October 1 
(September 30) and the Sunday nearest February 15 (February 18); and 
for brant not to exceed 70 days with 2 brant daily or 107 days with 1 
brant daily between the

[[Page 58162]]

Saturday nearest October 1 (September 30) and January 31. There is no 
possession limit for light geese. Specific regulations for Canada geese 
and exceptions to the above general provisions are shown below by 
State. Except as noted below, the outside dates for Canada geese are 
the Saturday nearest October 1 (September 30) and January 31.

Alabama

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

Arkansas

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

Illinois

    The total harvest of Canada geese in the State will be limited to 
127,000 birds. The possession limit is 10 Canada geese.
    (a) North Zone--The season for Canada geese will close after 91 
days or when 21,500 birds have been harvested in the Northern Illinois 
Quota Zone, whichever occurs first. The daily bag limit is 3 Canada 
geese.
    (b) Central Zone--The season for Canada geese will close after 91 
days or when 24,700 birds have been harvested in the Central Illinois 
Quota Zone, whichever occurs first. The daily bag limit is 3 Canada 
geese.
    (c) South Zone--The harvest of Canada geese in the Southern 
Illinois and Rend Lake Quota Zones will be limited to 32,900 and 4,650 
birds, respectively. The season for Canada geese in each zone will 
close after 91 days or when the harvest limit has been reached, 
whichever occurs first. The daily bag limit is 3 Canada geese. In the 
Southern Illinois Quota Zone, if any of the following conditions exist 
after December 20, the State, after consultation with the Service, will 
close the season by emergency order with 48 hours notice:
    (1) Average body weights of adult female geese less than 3,200 
grams as measured from a weekly sample of a minimum of 50 geese.
    (2) Starvation or a major disease outbreak resulting in observed 
mortality exceeding 5,000 birds in 10 days, or a total mortality 
exceeding 10,000 birds.
    In the remainder of the South Zone, the season may extend for 91 
days or until both the Southern Illinois and Rend Lake Quota Zones have 
been closed, whichever occurs first. The daily bag limit is 3 Canada 
geese.

Indiana

    The total harvest of Canada geese in the State will be limited to 
28,300 birds. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (a) Posey County--The season for Canada geese will close after 65 
days or when the Canada goose harvest at Hovey Lake Fish and Wildlife 
Area exceeds 1,500 birds, whichever occurs first.
    (b) Remainder of the State--The season for Canada geese will extend 
for 65 days, except in the SJBP Zone, where the season may not exceed 
35 days.

Iowa

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

Kentucky

    (a) Western Zone--The season for Canada geese may extend for 61 
days (76 days in Fulton County), and the harvest will be limited to 
23,800 birds. Of the 23,800-bird quota, 15,470 birds will be allocated 
to the Ballard Reporting Area and 4,520 birds will be allocated to the 
Henderson/Union Reporting Area. If the quota in either reporting area 
is reached prior to completion of the 61-day season, the season in that 
reporting area will be closed. If the quotas in both the Ballard and 
Henderson/Union reporting areas are reached prior to completion of the 
61-day season, the season in the counties and portions of counties that 
comprise the Western Goose Zone (listed in State regulations) may 
continue for an additional 7 days, not to exceed a total of 61 days (76 
days in Fulton County). The season in Fulton County may extend to 
February 15. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (b) Pennyroyal/Coalfield Zone--The season may extend for 35 days. 
The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (c) Remainder of the State--The season may extend for 50 days. The 
daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

Louisiana

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

Michigan

    The total harvest of Canada geese in the State will be limited to 
73,200 birds.
    (a) North Zone--The framework opening date for all geese is 
September 16, and the season for Canada geese may extend for 18 days. 
The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (b) Middle Zone--The framework opening date for all geese is 
September 16, and the season for Canada geese may extend for 18 days. 
The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (c) South Zone. (1) Allegan County GMU--The Canada goose season 
will close after 25 days or when 1,100 birds have been harvested, 
whichever occurs first. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.
    (2) Muskegon Wastewater GMU--The Canada goose season will close 
after 25 days or when 350 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs 
first. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (3) Saginaw County GMU--The Canada goose season will close after 50 
days or when 2,000 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs first. 
The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.
    (4) Tuscola/Huron GMU--The Canada goose season will close after 50 
days or when 750 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs first. The 
daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.
    (5) Remainder of the South Zone--The framework opening date for all 
geese is September 16, and the season for Canada geese may extend for 
18 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (d) Southern Michigan GMU--A special Canada goose season may be 
held between January 6 and February 4. The daily bag limit is 5 Canada 
geese.
    (e) Central Michigan GMU--An experimental special Canada goose 
season may be held between January 6 and February 4. The daily bag 
limit is 5 Canada geese.

Minnesota

    (a) West Zone. (1) West Central Zone--The season for Canada geese 
may extend for 30 days. In the Lac Qui Parle Zone, the season will 
close after 30 days or when 16,000 birds have been harvested, whichever 
occurs first. Throughout the West Central Zone, the daily bag limit is 
1 Canada goose.
    (2) Remainder of West Zone--The season for Canada geese may extend 
for 40 days. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.
    (b) Northwest Zone--The season for Canada geese may extend for 40 
days. The daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose.
    (c) Remainder of the State--The season for Canada geese may extend 
for 70 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (d) Special Late Canada Goose Season--An experimental special

[[Page 58163]]

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

Mississippi

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

Missouri

    (a) Swan Lake Zone--The season for Canada geese may extend for 70 
days, with no more than 30 days occurring after November 30. The season 
may be split into 3 segments. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (b) Southeast Zone--The season for Canada geese may extend for 70 
days. The season may be split into 3 segments, provided that at least 1 
segment occurs prior to December 1. The daily bag limit is 3 Canada 
geese through October 31, and 2 Canada geese thereafter.
    (c) Remainder of the State--
    (1) North Zone--The season for Canada geese may extend for 70 days, 
with no more than 30 days occurring after November 30. The season may 
be split into 3 segments, provided that 1 segment of at least 9 days 
occurs prior to October 15. The daily bag limit is 3 Canada geese 
through October 31, and 2 Canada geese thereafter.
    (2) Middle Zone--The season for Canada geese may extend for 70 
days, with no more than 30 days occurring after November 30. The season 
may be split into 3 segments, provided that 1 segment of at least 9 
days occurs prior to October 15. The daily bag limit is 3 Canada geese 
through October 31, and 2 Canada geese thereafter.
    (3) South Zone--The season for Canada geese may extend for 70 days. 
The season may be split into 3 segments, provided that at least 1 
segment occurs prior to December 1. The daily bag limit is 3 Canada 
geese through October 31, and 2 Canada geese thereafter.

Ohio

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

Tennessee

    (a) Northwest Zone--The season for Canada geese will close after 76 
days or when 8,900 birds have been harvested, whichever occurs first. 
The season may extend to February 15. A 6,400-bird harvest quota will 
be monitored in the Reelfoot Quota Zone. The remaining 2,500 quota will 
be assigned to the area outside the Reelfoot Zone. If the quota in the 
Reelfoot Quota Zone is reached prior to completion of the 76-day 
season, the season in the entire Northwest Zone will close. The daily 
bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (b) Southwest Zone--The season for Canada geese may extend for 61 
days, and the harvest will be limited to 1,000 birds. The daily bag 
limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (c) Kentucky/Barkley Lakes Zone--The season for Canada geese will 
close after 50 days or when 1,800 birds have been harvested, whichever 
occurs first. All geese harvested must be taken to a designated check 
station and checked. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese. In lieu of 
the quota and checking requirement above, the State may select either a 
50-day season with a 1-bird daily bag limit or a 35-day season with a 
2-bird daily bag limit for this Zone.
    (d) Remainder of the State--The season for Canada geese may extend 
for 70 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

Wisconsin

    The total harvest of Canada geese in the State will be limited to 
83,900 birds.
    (a) Horicon Zone--The framework opening date for all geese is 
September 16. The harvest of Canada geese is limited to 39,600 birds. 
The season may not exceed 95 days. All Canada geese harvested must be 
tagged. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese, and the season limit 
will be the number of tags issued to each permittee.
    (b) Collins Zone--The framework opening date for all geese is 
September 16. The harvest of Canada geese is limited to 1,300 birds. 
The season may not exceed 68 days. All Canada geese harvested must be 
tagged. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese, and the season limit 
will be the number of tags issued to each permittee.
    (c) Exterior Zone--The framework opening date for all geese is 
September 23. The harvest of Canada geese is limited to 38,500 birds, 
with 500 birds allocated to the Mississippi River Subzone. The season 
may not exceed 94 days, except in the Mississippi River Subzone, where 
the season may not exceed 80 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada 
geese. In that portion of the Exterior Zone outside the Mississippi 
River Subzone, the progress of the harvest must be monitored, and the 
season closed, if necessary, to ensure that the harvest does not exceed 
38,500 birds.
    Additional Limits: In addition to the harvest limits stated for the 
respective zones above, an additional 4,500 Canada geese may be taken 
in the Horicon Zone under special agricultural permits.
    Quota Zone Closures: When it has been determined that the quota of 
Canada geese allotted to the Northern Illinois, Central Illinois, 
Southern Illinois, and Rend Lake Quota Zones in Illinois; Posey County 
in Indiana; the Ballard and Henderson-Union Subzones in Kentucky; the 
Allegan County, Muskegon Wastewater, Saginaw County, and Tuscola/Huron 
Goose Management Units in Michigan; the Lac Qui Parle Zone in 
Minnesota; the Northwest and Kentucky/Barkley Lakes (if applicable) 
Zones in Tennessee; and the Exterior Zone in Wisconsin will have been 
filled, the season for taking Canada geese in the respective zone (and 
associated area, if applicable) will be closed by either the Director 
upon giving public notice through local information media at least 48 
hours in advance of the time and date of closing, or by the State 
through State regulations with such notice and time (not less than 48 
hours) as they deem necessary.

Central Flyway

Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots

    Outside Dates: Between September 30 and January 21.
    Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits:
    (1) High Plains Mallard Management Unit (roughly defined as that 
portion of the Central Flyway which lies west of the 100th meridian): 
97 days and a daily bag limit of 6 ducks, including no more than 5 
mallards (no more than 2 of which may be hens), 1 mottled duck, 1 
canvasback, 1 pintail, 2 redheads, 3 scaup, and 2 wood ducks. The last 
23 days may start no earlier than the Saturday nearest December 10 
(December 9).
    (2) Remainder of the Central Flyway: 74 days and a daily bag limit 
of 6 ducks, including no more than 5 mallards (no more than 2 of which 
may be hens), 1 mottled duck, 1 canvasback, 1 pintail, 2 redheads, 3 
scaup, and 2 wood ducks.
    Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit is 5 mergansers, only 1 of 
which may be a hooded merganser. In States that include mergansers in 
the duck daily bag limit, the daily limit may be the

[[Page 58164]]

same as the duck bag limit, only one of which may be a hooded 
merganser.
    Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 coots.
    Zoning and Split Seasons: Kansas (Low Plains portion), Montana, 
Nebraska (Low Plains portion), New Mexico, Oklahoma (Low Plains 
portion), South Dakota (Low Plains portion), Texas (Low Plains 
portion), and Wyoming may select hunting seasons by zones.
    In Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, 
South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming, the regular season may be split into 
two segments.
    In Colorado, the season may be split into three segments.

Geese

    Split Seasons: Seasons for geese may be split into three segments. 
Three-way split seasons for Canada geese require Central Flyway Council 
and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approval, and a 3-year evaluation by 
each participating State.
    Outside Dates: For dark geese, seasons may be selected between the 
outside dates of the Saturday nearest October 1 (September 30) and the 
Sunday nearest February 15 (February 18). For light geese, outside 
dates for seasons may be selected between the Saturday nearest October 
1 (September 30) and March 10. In the Rainwater Basin Light Goose Area 
(East and West) of Nebraska, temporal and spatial restrictions 
consistent with the experimental late-winter snow goose hunting 
strategy endorsed by the Central Flyway Council in July 1999, are 
required.
    Season Lengths and Limits:
    Light Geese: States may select a light goose season not to exceed 
107 days. The daily bag limit for light geese is 20 with no possession 
limit.
    Dark Geese: In Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South 
Dakota, and the Eastern Goose Zone of Texas, States may select a season 
for Canada geese (or any other dark goose species except white-fronted 
geese) not to exceed 95 days with a daily bag limit of 3. Additionally, 
in the Eastern Goose Zone of Texas, an alternative season of 107 days 
with a daily bag limit of 1 Canada goose may be selected. For white-
fronted geese, these States may select either a season of 86 days with 
a bag limit of 2 or a 107-day season with a bag limit of 1.
    In South Dakota, for Canada geese in the Big Stone Power Plant Area 
of Dark Goose Unit 1, the daily bag limit is 3 until November 30 and 2 
thereafter.
    In Colorado, Montana, New Mexico and Wyoming, States may select 
seasons not to exceed 107 days. The daily bag limit for dark geese is 5 
in the aggregate.
    In the Western Goose Zone of Texas, the season may not exceed 107 
days. The daily bag limit for Canada geese (or any other dark goose 
species except white-fronted geese) is 5. The daily bag limit for 
white-fronted geese is 1.

Pacific Flyway

Ducks, Mergansers, Coots, and Common Moorhens

    Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: Concurrent 107 days and daily bag 
limit of 7 ducks and mergansers, including no more than 2 female 
mallards, 1 pintail, 4 scaup, 2 redheads, and 1 canvasback.
    The season on coots and common moorhens may be between the outside 
dates for the season on ducks, but not to exceed 107 days.
    Coot and Common Moorhen Limits: The daily bag and possession limits 
of coots and common moorhens are 25, singly or in the aggregate.
    Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest October 1 (September 
30) and the Sunday nearest January 20 (January 21).
    Zoning and Split Seasons: Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, 
Oregon, Utah, and Washington may select hunting seasons by zones.
    Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington 
may split their seasons into two segments.
    Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming may split their seasons 
into three segments.
    Colorado River Zone, California: Seasons and limits shall be the 
same as seasons and limits selected in the adjacent portion of Arizona 
(South Zone).

Geese

    Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: Except as subsequently 
noted, 100-day seasons may be selected, with outside dates between the 
Saturday nearest October 1 (September 30), and the Sunday nearest 
January 20 (January 21), and the basic daily bag limits are 3 light 
geese and 4 dark geese, except in California, Oregon, and Washington, 
where the dark goose bag limit does not include brant.
    Split Seasons: Unless otherwise specified, seasons for geese may be 
split into up to 3 segments. Three-way split seasons for Canada geese 
and white-fronted geese require Pacific Flyway Council and U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service approval and a 3-year evaluation by each 
participating State.
    Brant Season--A 16-consecutive-day season may be selected in Oregon 
and Washington, and a 30-consecutive-day season may be selected in 
California. In these States, the daily bag limit is 2 brant and is in 
addition to dark goose limits.
    Closures: There will be no open season on Aleutian Canada geese in 
the Pacific Flyway. The States of California, Oregon, and Washington 
must include a statement on the closure for that subspecies in their 
respective regulations leaflet. Emergency closures may be invoked for 
all Canada geese should Aleutian Canada goose distribution patterns or 
other circumstances justify such actions.
    Arizona: The daily bag limit for dark geese is 3.

California

    Northeastern Zone--White-fronted geese and cackling Canada geese 
may be taken only during the first 44 days of the goose season. The 
daily bag limit is 3 geese and may include no more than 2 dark geese; 
including not more than 1 cackling Canada goose.
    Colorado River Zone--The seasons and limits must be the same as 
those selected in the adjacent portion of Arizona (South Zone).
    Southern Zone--The daily bag limit for dark geese is 3 geese.
    Balance-of-the-State Zone--A 79-day season may be selected. Limits 
may not include more than 3 geese per day, of which not more than 2 may 
be white-fronted geese and not more than 1 may be a cackling Canada 
goose. Three areas in the Balance-of-the-State Zone are restricted in 
the hunting of certain geese:
    (1) In the Counties of Del Norte and Humboldt, there will be no 
open season for Canada geese, except for the Special September Canada 
goose hunt in Humboldt County.
    (2) In the Sacramento Valley Special Management Area (West), the 
season on white-fronted geese must end on or before December 14, and, 
in the Sacramento Valley Special Management Area (East), there will be 
no open season for Canada geese.
    (3) In the San Joaquin Valley Special Management Area, there will 
be no open season for Canada geese.
    Colorado: The daily bag limit for dark geese is 3 geese.

Idaho

    Northern Unit--The daily bag limit is 4 geese, including 4 dark 
geese, but not more than 3 light geese.
    Southwest Unit and Southeastern Unit--The daily bag limit on dark 
geese is 4.
    Montana: West of Divide Zone and East of Divide Zone--The daily bag 
limit of dark geese is 4.

[[Page 58165]]

    Nevada: The daily bag limit for dark geese is 3 except in the 
Lincoln and Clark County Zone, where the daily bag limit of dark geese 
is 2.
    New Mexico: The daily bag limit of dark geese is 3.
    Oregon: Except as subsequently noted, the dark goose daily bag 
limit is 4, including not more than 1 cackling Canada goose.
    Lake County Zone--The daily dark goose bag limit may not include 
more than 2 white-fronted geese.
    Western Zone--In the Special Canada Goose Management Area, except 
for designated areas, there will be no open season on Canada geese. In 
the designated areas, individual quotas will be established that 
collectively will not exceed 165 dusky Canada geese. See section on 
quota zones. In those designated areas, the daily bag limit of dark 
geese is 4 and may include 4 cackling Canada geese.
    Utah: The daily bag limit for dark geese is 3 geese.
    Washington: The daily bag limit is 4 geese, including 4 dark geese 
but not more than 3 light geese.
    West Zone--In the Lower Columbia River Special Goose Management 
Area, except for designated areas, there will be no open season on 
Canada geese. In the designated areas, individual quotas will be 
established that collectively will not exceed 85 dusky Canada geese. 
See section on quota zones. In this area, the daily bag limit of dark 
geese is 4 and may include 4 cackling Canada geese.
    Wyoming: The daily bag limit is 4 dark geese.
    Quota Zones: Seasons on dark geese must end upon attainment of 
individual quotas of dusky Canada geese allotted to the designated 
areas of Oregon and Washington. The September Canada goose season, the 
regular goose season, any special late dark goose season, and any 
extended falconry season, combined, must not exceed 107 days, and the 
established quota of dusky Canada geese must not be exceeded. Hunting 
of dark geese in those designated areas will only be by hunters 
possessing a State-issued permit authorizing them to do so. In a 
Service-approved investigation, the State must obtain quantitative 
information on hunter compliance of those regulations aimed at reducing 
the take of dusky Canada geese and eliminating the take of Aleutian 
Canada geese. If the monitoring program cannot be conducted, for any 
reason, the season must immediately close. In the designated areas of 
the Washington Quota Zone, a special late dark goose season may be held 
between the Saturday following the close of the general goose season 
and March 10. The daily bag limit may not include Aleutian Canada 
geese. In the Special Canada Goose Management Area of Oregon, the 
framework closing date is extended to the Sunday closest to March 1 
(March 4). In the Special Canada Goose Management Area of Oregon, the 
framework closing date is extended to the Sunday closest to March 1 
(Feb. 28). Regular dark goose seasons may be split into 3 segments 
within the Oregon and Washington quota zones. The 3-way split seasons 
are considered experimental for the next 3 years. An evaluation of the 
3-way split seasons is required and must be submitted by July 2002.

Swans

    In designated areas of Utah, Nevada, and the Pacific Flyway portion 
of Montana, an open season for taking a limited number of swans may be 
selected. Permits will be issued by States and will authorize each 
permittee to take no more than 1 swan per season. The season may open 
no earlier than the Saturday nearest October 1 (September 30). The 
States must implement a harvest-monitoring program to measure the 
species composition of the swan harvest. In Utah and Nevada, the 
harvest-monitoring program must require that all harvested swans or 
their species-determinant parts be examined by either State or Federal 
biologists for the purpose of species classification. All States should 
use appropriate measures to maximize hunter compliance in providing 
bagged swans for examination or, in the case of Montana, reporting 
bill-measurement and color information. All States must achieve at 
least an 80-percent compliance rate, or subsequent permits will be 
reduced by 10 percent. All States must provide to the Service by June 
30, 2001, a report covering harvest, hunter participation, reporting 
compliance, and monitoring of swan populations in the designated hunt 
areas. These seasons will be subject to the following conditions:
    In Utah, no more than 2,000 permits may be issued. The season must 
end no later than the second Sunday in December (December 10) or upon 
attainment of 10 trumpeter swans in the harvest, whichever occurs 
earliest.
    In Nevada, no more than 650 permits may be issued. The season must 
end no later than the Sunday following January 1 (January 7) or upon 
attainment of 5 trumpeter swans in the harvest, whichever occurs 
earliest.
    In Montana, no more than 500 permits may be issued. The season must 
end no later than December 1.

Tundra Swans

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

In the Atlantic Flyway

--The season will be experimental.
--The season may be 90 days, from October 1 to January 31.
--In North Carolina, no more than 5,000 permits may be issued.
--In Virginia, no more than 600 permits may be issued.

In the Central Flyway

--The season may be 107 days and must occur during the light goose 
season.
--In the Central Flyway portion of Montana, no more than 500 permits 
may be issued.
--In North Dakota, no more than 2,000 permits may be issued.
--In South Dakota, no more than 1,500 permits may be issued.

Area, Unit, and Zone Descriptions

Ducks (Including Mergansers) and Coots

Atlantic Flyway

Connecticut

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

Maine

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

Massachusetts

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

[[Page 58166]]

10 to U.S. 202, south on U.S. 202 to the Connecticut border.
    Central Zone: That portion of the State east of the Berkshire Zone 
and west of a line extending south from the New Hampshire border on I-
95 to U.S. 1, south on U.S. 1 to I-93, south on I-93 to MA 3, south on 
MA 3 to U.S. 6, west on U.S. 6 to MA 28, west on MA 28 to I-195, west 
to the Rhode Island border; except the waters, and the lands 150 yards 
inland from the high-water mark, of the Assonet River upstream to the 
MA 24 bridge, and the Taunton River upstream to the Center St.-Elm St. 
bridge shall be in the Coastal Zone.
    Coastal Zone: That portion of Massachusetts east and south of the 
Central Zone.

New Hampshire

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

New Jersey

    Coastal Zone: That portion of the State seaward of a line beginning 
at the New York border in Raritan Bay and extending west along the New 
York border to NJ 440 at Perth Amboy; west on NJ 440 to the Garden 
State Parkway; south on the Garden State Parkway to the shoreline at 
Cape May and continuing to the Delaware border in Delaware Bay.
    North Zone: That portion of the State west of the Coastal Zone and 
north of a line extending west from the Garden State Parkway on NJ 70 
to the New Jersey Turnpike, north on the turnpike to U.S. 206, north on 
U.S. 206 to U.S. 1 at Trenton, west on U.S. 1 to the Pennsylvania 
border in the Delaware River.
    South Zone: That portion of the State not within the North Zone or 
the Coastal Zone.

New York

    Lake Champlain Zone: The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that 
area east and north of a line extending along NY 9B from the Canadian 
border to U.S. 9, south along U.S. 9 to NY 22 south of Keesville; south 
along NY 22 to the west shore of South Bay, along and around the 
shoreline of South Bay to NY 22 on the east shore of South Bay; 
southeast along NY 22 to U.S. 4, northeast along U.S. 4 to the Vermont 
border.
    Long Island Zone: That area consisting of Nassau County, Suffolk 
County, that area of Westchester County southeast of I-95, and their 
tidal waters.
    Western Zone: That area west of a line extending from Lake Ontario 
east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, and south along 
I-81 to the Pennsylvania border.
    Northeastern Zone: That area north of a line extending from Lake 
Ontario east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, south 
along I-81 to NY 49, east along NY 49 to NY 365, east along NY 365 to 
NY 28, east along NY 28 to NY 29, east along NY 29 to I-87, north along 
I-87 to U.S. 9 (at Exit 20), north along U.S. 9 to NY 149, east along 
NY 149 to U.S. 4, north along U.S. 4 to the Vermont border, exclusive 
of the Lake Champlain Zone.
    Southeastern Zone: The remaining portion of New York.

Pennsylvania

    Lake Erie Zone: The Lake Erie waters of Pennsylvania and a 
shoreline margin along Lake Erie from New York on the east to Ohio on 
the west extending 150 yards inland, but including all of Presque Isle 
Peninsula.
    Northwest Zone: The area bounded on the north by the Lake Erie Zone 
and including all of Erie and Crawford Counties and those portions of 
Mercer and Venango Counties north of I-80.
    North Zone: That portion of the State east of the Northwest Zone 
and north of a line extending east on I-80 to U.S. 220, Route 220 to I-
180, I-180 to I-80, and I-80 to the Delaware River.
    South Zone: The remaining portion of Pennsylvania.

Vermont

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

West Virginia

    Zone 1 : That portion outside the boundaries in Zone 2.
    Zone 2 (Allegheny Mountain Upland): That area bounded by a line 
extending south along U.S. 220 through Keyser to U.S. 50; U.S. 50 to WV 
93; WV 93 south to WV 42; WV 42 south to Petersburg; WV 28 south to 
Minnehaha Springs; WV 39 west to U.S. 219; U.S. 219 south to I-64; I-64 
west to U.S. 60; U.S. 60 west to U.S. 19; U.S. 19 north to I-79, I-79 
north to U.S. 48; U.S. 48 east to the Maryland border; and along the 
border to the point of beginning.

Mississippi Flyway

Alabama

    South Zone: Mobile and Baldwin Counties.
    North Zone: The remainder of Alabama.

Illinois

    North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending 
east from the Iowa border along Illinois Highway 92 to Interstate 
Highway 280, east along I-280 to I-80, then east along I-80 to the 
Indiana border.
    Central Zone: That portion of the State south of the North Zone to 
a line extending east from the Missouri border along the Modoc Ferry 
route to Modoc Ferry Road, east along Modoc Ferry Road to Modoc Road, 
northeasterly along Modoc Road and St. Leo's Road to Illinois Highway 
3, north along Illinois 3 to Illinois 159, north along Illinois 159 to 
Illinois 161, east along Illinois 161 to Illinois 4, north along 
Illinois 4 to Interstate Highway 70, east along I-70 to the Bond County 
line, north and east along the Bond County line to Fayette County, 
north and east along the Fayette County line to Effingham County, east 
and south along the Effingham County line to I-70, then east along I-70 
to the Indiana border.
    South Zone: The remainder of Illinois.

Indiana

    North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending 
east from the Illinois border along State Road 18 to U.S. Highway 31, 
north along U.S. 31 to U.S. 24, east along U.S. 24 to Huntington, then 
southeast along U.S. 224 to the Ohio border.
    Ohio River Zone: That portion of the State south of a line 
extending east from the Illinois border along Interstate Highway 64 to 
New Albany, east along State Road 62 to State 56, east along State 56 
to Vevay, east and north on State 156 along the Ohio River to North 
Landing, north along State 56 to U.S. Highway 50, then northeast along 
U.S. 50 to the Ohio border.
    South Zone: That portion of the State between the North and Ohio 
River Zone boundaries.

Iowa

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

[[Page 58167]]

to Interstate Highway 80, then east along I-80 to the Illinois border.
    South Zone: The remainder of Iowa.

Kentucky

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

Louisiana

    West Zone: That portion of the State west of a line extending south 
from the Arkansas border along Louisiana Highway 3 to Bossier City, 
east along Interstate Highway 20 to Minden, south along Louisiana 7 to 
Ringgold, east along Louisiana 4 to Jonesboro, south along U.S. Highway 
167 to Lafayette, southeast along U.S. 90 to Houma, then south along 
the Houma Navigation Channel to the Gulf of Mexico through Cat Island 
Pass.
    East Zone: The remainder of Louisiana.
    Catahoula Lake Area: All of Catahoula Lake, including those 
portions known locally as Round Prairie, Catfish Prairie, and Frazier's 
Arm. See State regulations for additional information.

Michigan

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

Mississippi

    Zone 1: Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson Counties.
    Zone 2: The remainder of Mississippi.

Missouri

    North Zone: That portion of Missouri north of a line running west 
from the Illinois border along Interstate Highway 70 to U.S. Highway 
54, south along U.S. 54 to U.S. 50, then west along U.S. 50 to the 
Kansas border.
    South Zone: That portion of Missouri south of a line running west 
from the Illinois border along Missouri Highway 34 to Interstate 
Highway 55; south along I-55 to U.S. Highway 62, west along U.S. 62 to 
Missouri 53, north along Missouri 53 to Missouri 51, north along 
Missouri 51 to U.S. 60, west along U.S. 60 to Missouri 21, north along 
Missouri 21 to Missouri 72, west along Missouri 72 to Missouri 32, west 
along Missouri 32 to U.S. 65, north along U.S. 65 to U.S. 54, west 
along U.S. 54 to Missouri 32, south along Missouri 32 to Missouri 97, 
south along Missouri 97 to Dade County NN, west along Dade County NN to 
Missouri 37, west along Missouri 37 to Jasper County N, west along 
Jasper County N to Jasper County M, west along Jasper County M to the 
Kansas border.
    Middle Zone: The remainder of Missouri.

Ohio

    North Zone: The Counties of Darke, Miami, Clark, Champaign, Union, 
Delaware, Licking (excluding the Buckeye Lake Area), Muskingum, 
Guernsey, Harrison and Jefferson and all counties north thereof.
    Ohio River Zone: The Counties of Hamilton, Clermont, Brown, Adams, 
Scioto, Lawrence, Gallia and Meigs.
    South Zone: That portion of the State between the North and Ohio 
River Zone boundaries, including the Buckeye Lake Area in Licking 
County bounded on the west by State Highway 37, on the north by U.S. 
Highway 40, and on the east by State 13.

Tennessee

    Reelfoot Zone: All or portions of Lake and Obion Counties.
    State Zone: The remainder of Tennessee.

Wisconsin

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

Central Flyway

Kansas

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

Montana (Central Flyway Portion)

    Zone 1: The Counties of Blaine, Carbon, Carter, Daniels, Dawson, 
Fallon, Fergus, Garfield, Golden Valley, Judith Basin, McCone, 
Musselshell, Petroleum, Phillips, Powder River, Richland, Roosevelt, 
Sheridan, Stillwater, Sweet Grass, Valley, Wheatland, Wibaux, and 
Yellowstone.
    Zone 2: The remainder of Montana.

Nebraska

    High Plains Zone: That portion of the State west of highways U.S. 
183 and U.S. 20 from the South Dakota border to Ainsworth, NE 7 and NE 
91 to Dunning, NE 2 to Merna, NE 92 to Arnold, NE 40 and NE 47 through 
Gothenburg to NE 23, NE 23 to Elwood, and U.S. 283 to the Kansas 
border.
    Low Plains Zone 1: That portion of the State east of the High 
Plains Zone and north and west of a line extending from the South 
Dakota border along NE 26E

[[Page 58168]]

Spur to NE 12, west on NE 12 to the Knox/Boyd County line, south along 
the county line to the Niobrara River and along the Niobrara River to 
U.S. 183 (the High Plains Zone line). Where the Niobrara River forms 
the boundary, both banks will be in Zone 1.
    Low Plains Zone 2: That portion of the State east of the High 
Plains Zone and bounded by designated highways and political boundaries 
starting on U.S. 73 at the Kansas border, north to NE 67, north to U.S. 
75, north to NE 2, west to NE 43, north to U.S. 34, east to NE 63, 
north and west to U.S. 77, north to NE 92, west to U.S. 81, south to NE 
66, west to NE 14, south to U.S. 34, west to NE 2, south to I-80, west 
to Hamilton/Hall County line (Gunbarrel Road), south to Giltner Road; 
west to U.S. 34, west to U.S. 136, east on U.S. 136 to NE 10, south to 
the State line, west to U.S. 283, north to NE 23, west to NE 47, north 
to U.S. 30, east to NE 14, north to NE 52, northwesterly to NE 91, west 
to U.S. 281, north to NE 91 in Wheeler County, west to U.S. 183, north 
to northerly boundary of Loup County, east along the north boundaries 
of Loup, Garfield, and Wheeler County, south along the east Wheeler 
County line to NE 70, east on NE 70 from Wheeler County to NE 14, south 
to NE 39, southeast to NE 22, east to U.S. 81, southeast to U.S. 30, 
east along U.S. 30 to U.S. 75, north along U.S. 75 to the Washington/
Burt County line; then east along the county line to the Iowa border.
    Low Plains Zone 3: The area east of the High Plains Zone, excluding 
Low Plains Zone 1, north of Low Plains Zone 2.
    Low Plains Zone 4: The area east of the High Plains Zone and south 
of Zone 2.

New Mexico (Central Flyway Portion)

    North Zone: That portion of the State north of I-40 and U.S. 54.
    South Zone: The remainder of New Mexico.

North Dakota

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

Oklahoma

    High Plains Zone: The Counties of Beaver, Cimarron, and Texas.
    Low Plains Zone 1: That portion of the State east of the High 
Plains Zone and north of a line extending east from the Texas border 
along OK 33 to OK 47, east along OK 47 to U.S. 183, south along U.S. 
183 to I-40, east along I-40 to U.S. 177, north along U.S. 177 to OK 
33, west along OK 33 to I-35, north along I-35 to U.S. 60, west along 
U.S. 60 to U.S. 64, west along U.S. 64 to OK 132, then north along OK 
132 to the Kansas border.
    Low Plains Zone 2: The remainder of Oklahoma.

South Dakota

    High Plains Unit: That portion of the State west of a line 
beginning at the North Dakota border and extending south along U.S. 83 
to U.S. 14, east along U.S. 14 to Blunt-Canning Road in Blunt, south 
along Blunt-Canning Road to SD 34, east to SD 47, south to I-90, east 
to SD 47, south to SD 49, south to Colome and then continuing south on 
U.S. 183 to the Nebraska border.
    North Zone: That portion of northeastern South Dakota east of the 
High Plains Unit and north of a line extending east along US 212 to SD 
15, then north along SD 15 to Big Stone Lake at the Minnesota border.
    South Zone: That portion of Gregory County east of SD 47, Charles 
Mix County south of SD 44 to the Douglas County line, south on SD 50 to 
Geddes, east on the Geddes Hwy. to U.S. 281, south on U.S. 281 and U.S. 
18 to SD 50, south and east on SD 50 to Bon Homme County line, the 
Counties of Bon Homme, Yankton, and Clay south of SD 50, and Union 
County south and west of SD 50 and I-29.
    Middle Zone: The remainder of South Dakota.

Texas

    High Plains Zone: That portion of the State west of a line 
extending south from the Oklahoma border along U.S. 183 to Vernon, 
south along U.S. 283 to Albany, south along TX 6 to TX 351 to Abilene, 
south along U.S. 277 to Del Rio, then south along the Del Rio 
International Toll Bridge access road to the Mexico border.
    Low Plains North Zone: That portion of northeastern Texas east of 
the High Plains Zone and north of a line beginning at the International 
Toll Bridge south of Del Rio, then extending east on U.S. 90 to San 
Antonio, then continuing east on I-10 to the Louisiana border at 
Orange, Texas.
    Low Plains South Zone: The remainder of Texas.

Wyoming (Central Flyway Portion)

    Zone 1: The Counties of Converse, Goshen, Hot Springs, Natrona, 
Platte, Washakie, and that portion of Park County south of T58N and not 
within the boundary of the Shoshone National Forest.
    Zone 2: The remainder of Wyoming.

Pacific Flyway

Arizona--Game Management Units (GMU) as follows:

    South Zone: Those portions of GMUs 6 and 8 in Yavapai County, and 
GMUs 10 and 12B-45.
    North Zone: GMUs 1-5, those portions of GMUs 6 and 8 within 
Coconino County, and GMUs 7, 9, 12A.

California

    Northeastern Zone: That portion of the State east and north of a 
line beginning at the Oregon border; south and west along the Klamath 
River to the mouth of Shovel Creek; south along Shovel Creek to Forest 
Service Road 46N10; south and east along FS 46N10 to FS 45N22; west and 
south along FS 45N22 to U.S. 97 at Grass Lake Summit; south and west 
along U.S. 97 to I-5 at the town of Weed; south along I-5 to CA 89; 
east and south along CA 89 to the junction with CA 49; east and north 
on CA 49 to CA 70; east on CA 70 to U.S. 395; south and east on U.S. 
395 to the Nevada border.
    Colorado River Zone: Those portions of San Bernardino, Riverside, 
and Imperial Counties east of a line extending from the Nevada border 
south along U.S. 95 to Vidal Junction; south on a road known as 
``Aqueduct Road'' in San Bernardino County through the town of Rice to 
the San Bernardino-Riverside County line; south on a road known in 
Riverside County as the ``Desert Center to Rice Road'' to the town of 
Desert Center; east 31 miles on I-10 to the Wiley Well Road; south on 
this road to Wiley Well; southeast along the Army-Milpitas Road to the 
Blythe, Brawley, Davis Lake intersections; south on the Blythe-Brawley 
paved road to the Ogilby and Tumco Mine Road; south on this road to 
U.S. 80; east seven miles on U.S. 80 to the Andrade-Algodones Road; 
south on this paved road to the Mexican border at Algodones, Mexico.
    Southern Zone: That portion of southern California (but excluding 
the Colorado River Zone) south and east of a line extending from the 
Pacific Ocean east along the Santa Maria River to CA 166 near the City 
of Santa Maria; east on CA 166 to CA 99; south on CA 99 to the crest of 
the Tehachapi Mountains at Tejon Pass; east and north along the crest 
of the Tehachapi Mountains to CA 178 at Walker Pass; east on CA 178 to 
U.S. 395 at the town of Inyokern; south on U.S. 395 to CA 58; east on 
CA 58 to I-15; east on I-15 to CA 127; north on CA 127 to the Nevada 
border.

[[Page 58169]]

    Southern San Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone: All of Kings and Tulare 
Counties and that portion of Kern County north of the Southern Zone.
    Balance-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of California not included 
in the Northeastern, Southern, and Colorado River Zones, and the 
Southern San Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone.

Idaho

    Zone 1: Includes all lands and waters within the Fort Hall Indian 
Reservation, including private inholdings; Bannock County; Bingham 
County, except that portion within the Blackfoot Reservoir drainage; 
and Power County east of ID 37 and ID 39.
    Zone 2: Includes the following Counties or portions of Counties: 
Adams; Bear Lake; Benewah; Bingham within the Blackfoot Reservoir 
drainage; those portions of Blaine west of ID 75, south and east of 
U.S. 93, and between ID 75 and U.S. 93 north of U.S. 20 outside the 
Silver Creek drainage; Bonner; Bonneville; Boundary; Butte; Camas; 
Caribou except the Fort Hall Indian Reservation; Cassia within the 
Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge; Clark; Clearwater; Custer; Elmore 
within the Camas Creek drainage; Franklin; Fremont; Idaho; Jefferson; 
Kootenai; Latah; Lemhi; Lewis; Madison; Nez Perce; Oneida; Power within 
the Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge; Shoshone; Teton; and Valley 
Counties.
    Zone 3: Includes the following Counties or portions of Counties: 
Ada; Blaine between ID 75 and U.S. 93 south of U.S. 20 and that 
additional area between ID 75 and U.S. 93 north of U.S. 20 within the 
Silver Creek drainage; Boise; Canyon; Cassia except within the Minidoka 
National Wildlife Refuge; Elmore except the Camas Creek drainage; Gem; 
Gooding; Jerome; Lincoln; Minidoka; Owyhee; Payette; Power west of ID 
37 and ID 39 except that portion within the Minidoka National Wildlife 
Refuge; Twin Falls; and Washington Counties.

Nevada

    Lincoln and Clark County Zone: All of Clark and Lincoln Counties.
    Remainder-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of Nevada.

Oregon

    Zone 1: Clatsop, Tillamook, Lincoln, Lane, Douglas, Coos, Curry, 
Josephine, Jackson, Linn, Benton, Polk, Marion, Yamhill, Washington, 
Columbia, Multnomah, Clackamas, Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam, 
Morrow and Umatilla Counties.
    Columbia Basin Mallard Management Unit: Gilliam, Morrow, and 
Umatilla Counties.
    Zone 2: The remainder of the State.

Utah

    Zone 1: All of Box Elder, Cache, Daggett, Davis, Duchesne, Morgan, 
Rich, Salt Lake, Summit, Unitah, Utah, Wasatch, and Weber Counties and 
that part of Toole County north of I-80.
    Zone 2: The remainder of Utah.

Washington

    East Zone: All areas east of the Pacific Crest Trail and east of 
the Big White Salmon River in Klickitat County.
    Columbia Basin Mallard Management Unit: Same as East Zone.
    West Zone: All areas to the west of the East Zone.

Geese

Atlantic Flyway

Connecticut

    NAP Zone: Statewide, except for Hartford and Litchfield Counties 
west of the Connecticut River.
    AP Zone: Remainder of the State.
    South Zone: Same as for ducks.
    North Zone: Same as for ducks.

Maryland

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

Massachusetts

    NAP Zone: Central Zone (same as for ducks) and that portion of the 
Coastal Zone that lies north of route 139 from Green Harbor.
    AP Zone: Remainder of the State.
    Special Late Season Area: That portion of the Coastal Zone (see 
duck zones) that lies north of Route 14, east of St. George Road, and 
east of the Powder Point Bridge.

New Hampshire

    Same zones as for ducks.

New Jersey

    North--that portion of the State within a continuous line that runs 
east along the New York State boundary line to the Hudson River; then 
south along the New York State boundary to its intersection with Route 
440 at Perth Amboy; then west on Route 440 to its intersection with 
Route 287; then west along Route 287 to its intersection with Route 206 
in Bedminster (Exit 18); then north along Route 206 to its intersection 
with Route 94: then west along Route 94 to the tollbridge in Columbia; 
then north along the Pennsylvania State boundary in the Delaware River 
to the beginning point.
    South--that portion of the State within a continuous line that runs 
west from the Atlantic Ocean at Ship Bottom along Route 72 to Route 70; 
then west along Route 70 to Route 206; then south along Route 206 to 
Route 536; then west along Route 536 to Route 322; then west along 
Route 322 to Route 55; then south along Route 55 to Route 553 (Buck 
Road); then south along Route 553 to Route 40; then east along Route 40 
to route 55; then south along Route 55 to Route 552 (Sherman Avenue); 
then west along Route 552 to Carmel Road; then south along Carmel Road 
to Route 49; then east along Route 49 to Route 555; then south along 
Route 555 to Route 553; then east along Route 553 to Route 649; then 
north along Route 649 to Route 670; then east along Route 670 to Route 
47; then north along Route 47 to Route 548; then east along Route 548 
to Route 49; then east along Route 49 to Route 50; then south along 
Route 50 to Route 9; then south along Route 9 to Route 625 (Sea Isle 
City Boulevard); then east along Route 625 to the Atlantic Ocean; then 
north to the beginning point.

New York

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

[[Page 58170]]

25A along Randall Road (near Shoreham) to North Country Road, then east 
to Sound Road and then north to Long Island Sound and then due north to 
the New York-Connecticut boundary.
    Long Island (NAP) Zone: Same as Long Island Duck Zone.
    Southwest (SJBP) Zone: all of Allegany, Cattaraugus, and Chautaugua 
Counties; that area of Erie, Wyoming and Niagara Counties lying south 
and west of a continuous line extending from the Rainbow Bridge below 
Niagara Falls, north along the Robert Moses Parkway to US Route 62A, 
then east along Route 62A to US Route 62, then southeast along US Route 
62 to Interstate Route 290, then south along Route 290 to Exit 50 of 
the NYS Thruway, then east along I-90 to State Route 98, then south 
along State Route 98 to the Cattaraugus County line; and that area of 
Steuben and Chemung Counties lying south of State Route 17.
    AP Zone: Remainder of the State.

North Carolina

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

Pennsylvania

    SJBP Zone: Area from the New York State line west of U.S. Route 220 
to intersection of I-180, west of I-180 to intersection of SR 147, west 
of SR 147 to intersection of U.S. Route 322, west of U.S. Route 322 to 
intersection of I-81, west of I-81 to intersection of I-83, west of I-
83 to I-283, west of I-283 to SR 441, west of SR 441 to U.S. Route 30, 
west of U.S. Route 30 to I-83, west of I-83 to Maryland State line, 
except for the Pymatuning Zone.
    Pymatuning Zone: Area south of SR 198 from the Ohio State line to 
the intersection of SR 18, to the intersection of US Route 322/SR 18, 
to the intersection of SR 3013, then south to the Crawford/Mercer 
County line.
    Special Late Season Area for Canada Geese: Same as SJBP Zone and 
the area from New York State line east of U.S. Route 220 to 
intersection of I-180, east of I-180 to intersection of SR 147, east of 
SR 147 to intersection of U.S. Route 322, east of Route 322 to 
intersection of I-81, north of I-81 to intersection of I-80, north of 
I-80 to New Jersey State line.
    AP Zone: Remainder of the State.

Rhode Island

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

South Carolina

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

Vermont

    Same zones as for ducks.

Virginia

    SJBP Zone and Special Late Season Area for Canada Geese: All areas 
west of I-95.
    Back Bay Area: The waters of Back Bay and its tributaries and the 
marshes adjacent thereto, and on the land and marshes between Back Bay 
and the Atlantic Ocean from Sandbridge to the North Carolina line, and 
on and along the shore of North Landing River and the marshes adjacent 
thereto, and on and along the shores of Binson Inlet Lake (formerly 
known as Lake Tecumseh) and Red Wing Lake and the marshes adjacent 
thereto.
    AP Zone: Remainder of the State.

West Virginia

    Same zones as for ducks.

Mississippi Flyway

Alabama

    Same zones as for ducks, but in addition:
    SJBP Zone: That portion of Morgan County east of U.S. Highway 31, 
north of State Highway 36, and west of U.S. 231; that portion of 
Limestone County south of U.S. 72; and that portion of Madison County 
south of Swancott Road and west of Triana Road.

Arkansas

    East Zone: Arkansas, Ashley, Chicot, Clay, Craighead, Crittenden, 
Cross, Desha, Drew, Greene, Independence, Jackson, Jefferson, Lawrence, 
Lee, Lincoln, Lonoke, Mississippi, Monroe, Phillips, Poinsett, Prairie, 
Pulaski, Randolph, St. Francis, White, and Woodruff Counties.
    West Zone: Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Cleburne, Conway, 
Crawford, Faulkner, Franklin, Fulton, Izard, Johnson, Madison, Marion, 
Newton, Pope, Searcy, Sharp, Stone, Van Buren, and Washington Counties, 
and those portions of Logan, Perry, Sebastian, and Yell Counties lying 
north of a line extending east from the Oklahoma border along State 
Highway 10 to Perry, south on State 9 to State 60, then east on State 
60 to the Faulkner County line.

Illinois

    Same zones as for ducks, but in addition:
    North Zone:
    Northern Illinois Quota Zone: The Counties of McHenry, Lake, Kane, 
DuPage, and those portions of LaSalle and Will Counties north of 
Interstate Highway 80.
    Central Zone:
    Central Illinois Quota Zone: The Counties of Grundy, Woodford, 
Peoria, Knox, Fulton, Tazewell, Mason, Cass, Morgan, Pike, Calhoun, and 
Jersey, and those portions of LaSalle and Will Counties south of 
Interstate Highway 80.
    South Zone:
    Southern Illinois Quota Zone: Alexander, Jackson, Union, and 
Williamson Counties.
    Rend Lake Quota Zone: Franklin and Jefferson Counties.

Indiana

    Same zones as for ducks, but in addition:
    SJBP Zone: Jasper, LaGrange, LaPorte, Starke, and Steuben Counties, 
and that portion of the Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area in 
Pulaski County.

Iowa

    Same zones as for ducks.

Kentucky

    Western Zone: That portion of the State west of a line beginning at 
the Tennessee border at Fulton and extending north along the Purchase 
Parkway to Interstate Highway 24, east along I-24 to U.S. Highway 641, 
north along U.S. 641 to U.S. 60, northeast along U.S. 60 to the 
Henderson County line, then south, east, and northerly along the 
Henderson County line to the Indiana border.
    Ballard Reporting Area: That area encompassed by a line beginning 
at the northwest city limits of Wickliffe in Ballard County and 
extending westward to the middle of the Mississippi River, north along 
the Mississippi River and along the low-water mark of the Ohio River on 
the Illinois shore to the Ballard-McCracken County line, south along 
the county line to Kentucky Highway 358, south along Kentucky 358 to 
U.S. Highway 60 at LaCenter; then southwest along U.S. 60 to the 
northeast city limits of Wickliffe.
    Henderson-Union Reporting Area: Henderson County and that portion 
of Union County within the Western Zone.
    Pennyroyal/Coalfield Zone: Butler, Daviess, Ohio, Simpson, and 
Warren Counties and all counties lying west to the boundary of the 
Western Goose Zone.

[[Page 58171]]

Michigan

    Same zones as for ducks, but in addition:
    South Zone:
    Tuscola/Huron Goose Management Unit (GMU): Those portions of 
Tuscola and Huron Counties bounded on the south by Michigan Highway 138 
and Bay City Road, on the east by Colwood and Bay Port Roads, on the 
north by Kilmanagh Road and a line extending directly west off the end 
of Kilmanagh Road into Saginaw Bay to the west boundary, and on the 
west by the Tuscola-Bay County line and a line extending directly north 
off the end of the Tuscola-Bay County line into Saginaw Bay to the 
north boundary.
    Allegan County GMU: That area encompassed by a line beginning at 
the junction of 136th Avenue and Interstate Highway 196 in Lake Town 
Township and extending easterly along 136th Avenue to Michigan Highway 
40, southerly along Michigan 40 through the city of Allegan to 108th 
Avenue in Trowbridge Township, westerly along 108th Avenue to 46th 
Street, northerly \1/2\ mile along 46th Street to 109th Avenue, 
westerly along 109th Avenue to I-196 in Casco Township, then northerly 
along I-196 to the point of beginning.
    Saginaw County GMU: That portion of Saginaw County bounded by 
Michigan Highway 46 on the north; Michigan 52 on the west; Michigan 57 
on the south; and Michigan 13 on the east.
    Muskegon Wastewater GMU: That portion of Muskegon County within the 
boundaries of the Muskegon County wastewater system, east of the 
Muskegon State Game Area, in sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 17, 18, 19, 20, 29, 
30, and 32, T10N R14W, and sections 1, 2, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 24, and 
25, T10N R15W, as posted.
    Special Canada Goose Seasons:
    Southern Michigan GMU: That portion of the State, including the 
Great Lakes and interconnecting waterways and excluding the Allegan 
County GMU, south of a line beginning at the Ontario border at the 
Bluewater Bridge in the city of Port Huron and extending westerly and 
southerly along Interstate Highway 94 to I-69, westerly along I-69 to 
Michigan Highway 21, westerly along Michigan 21 to I-96, northerly 
along I-96 to I-196, westerly along I-196 to Lake Michigan Drive (M-45) 
in Grand Rapids, westerly along Lake Michigan Drive to the Lake 
Michigan shore, then directly west from the end of Lake Michigan Drive 
to the Wisconsin border.
    Central Michigan GMU: That portion of the South Zone north of the 
Southern Michigan GMU, excluding the Tuscola/Huron GMU, Saginaw County 
GMU, and Muskegon Wastewater GMU.

Minnesota

    West Zone: That portion of the state encompassed by a line 
beginning at the junction of State Trunk Highway (STH) 60 and the Iowa 
border, then north and east along STH 60 to U.S. Highway 71, north 
along U.S. 71 to Interstate Highway 94, then north and west along I-94 
to the North Dakota border.
    West Central Zone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at the 
intersection of State Trunk Highway (STH) 29 and U.S. Highway 212 and 
extending west along U.S. 212 to U.S. 59, south along U.S. 59 to STH 
67, west along STH 67 to U.S. 75, north along U.S. 75 to County State 
Aid Highway (CSAH) 30 in Lac qui Parle County, west along CSAH 30 to 
the western boundary of the State, north along the western boundary of 
the State to a point due south of the intersection of STH 7 and CSAH 7 
in Big Stone County, and continuing due north to said intersection, 
then north along CSAH 7 to CSAH 6 in Big Stone County, east along CSAH 
6 to CSAH 21 in Big Stone County, south along CSAH 21 to CSAH 10 in Big 
Stone County, east along CSAH 10 to CSAH 22 in Swift County, east along 
CSAH 22 to CSAH 5 in Swift County, south along CSAH 5 to U.S. 12, east 
along U.S. 12 to CSAH 17 in Swift County, south along CSAH 17 to CSAH 9 
in Chippewa County, south along CSAH 9 to STH 40, east along STH 40 to 
STH 29, then south along STH 29 to the point of beginning.
    Lac qui Parle Zone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at 
the intersection of U.S. Highway 212 and County State Aid Highway 
(CSAH) 27 in Lac qui Parle County and extending north along CSAH 27 to 
CSAH 20 in Lac qui Parle County, west along CSAH 20 to State Trunk 
Highway (STH) 40, north along STH 40 to STH 119, north along STH 119 to 
CSAH 34 in Lac qui Parle County, west along CSAH 34 to CSAH 19 in Lac 
qui Parle County, north and west along CSAH 19 to CSAH 38 in Lac qui 
Parle County, west along CSAH 38 to U.S. 75, north along U.S. 75 to STH 
7, east along STH 7 to CSAH 6 in Swift County, east along CSAH 6 to 
County Road 65 in Swift County, south along County 65 to County 34 in 
Chippewa County, south along County 34 to CSAH 12 in Chippewa County, 
east along CSAH 12 to CSAH 9 in Chippewa County, south along CSAH 9 to 
STH 7, southeast along STH 7 to Montevideo and along the municipal 
boundary of Montevideo to U.S. 212; then west along U.S. 212 to the 
point of beginning.
    Northwest Zone: That portion of the state encompassed by a line 
extending east from the North Dakota border along U.S. Highway 2 to 
State Trunk Highway (STH) 32, north along STH 32 to STH 92, east along 
STH 92 to County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 2 in Polk County, north along 
CSAH 2 to CSAH 27 in Pennington County, north along CSAH 27 to STH 1, 
east along STH 1 to CSAH 28 in Pennington County, north along CSAH 28 
to CSAH 54 in Marshall County, north along CSAH 54 to CSAH 9 in Roseau 
County, north along CSAH 9 to STH 11, west along STH 11 to STH 310, and 
north along STH 310 to the Manitoba border.
    Special Canada Goose Seasons:
    Southeast Zone: That part of the State within the following 
described boundaries: beginning at the intersection of U.S. Highway 52 
and the south boundary of the Twin Cities Metro Canada Goose Zone; 
thence along the U.S. Highway 52 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 57; 
thence along STH 57 to the municipal boundary of Kasson; thence along 
the municipal boundary of Kasson County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 13, 
Dodge County; thence along CSAH 13 to STH 30; thence along STH 30 to 
U.S. Highway 63; thence along U.S. Highway 63 to the south boundary of 
the State; thence along the south and east boundaries of the State to 
the south boundary of the Twin Cities Metro Canada Goose Zone; thence 
along said boundary to the point of beginning.

Missouri

    Same zones as for ducks but in addition:
    North Zone:
    Swan Lake Zone: That area bounded by U.S. Highway 36 on the north, 
Missouri Highway 5 on the east, Missouri 240 and U.S. 65 on the south, 
and U.S. 65 on the west.
    Middle Zone:
    Southeast Zone: That portion of the State encompassed by a line 
beginning at the intersection of Missouri Highway (MO) 34 and 
Interstate 55 and extending south along I-55 to U.S. Highway 62, west 
along U.S. 62 to MO 53, north along MO 53 to MO 51, north along MO 51 
to U.S. 60, west along U.S. 60 to MO 21, north along MO 21 to MO 72, 
east along MO 72 to MO 34, then east along MO 34 to I-55.

Ohio

    Same zones as for ducks but in addition:
    North Zone: 
    Lake Erie SJBP Zone: That portion of the State encompassed by a 
line beginning in Lucas County at the Michigan State line on I-75, and

[[Page 58172]]

extending south along I-75 to I-280, south along I-280 to I-80, east 
along I-80 to the Pennsylvania State line in Trumbull county, north 
along the Pennsylvania State line to SR 6 in Ashtabula county, west 
along SR 6 to the Lake/Cuyahoga county line, north along the Lake/
Cuyahoga county line to the shore of Lake Erie.

Tennessee

    Southwest Zone: That portion of the State south of State Highways 
20 and 104, and west of U.S. Highways 45 and 45W.
    Northwest Zone: Lake, Obion and Weakley Counties and those portions 
of Gibson and Dyer Counties not included in the Southwest Tennessee 
Zone.
    Kentucky/Barkley Lakes Zone: That portion of the State bounded on 
the west by the eastern boundaries of the Northwest and Southwest Zones 
and on the east by State Highway 13 from the Alabama border to 
Clarksville and U.S. Highway 79 from Clarksville to the Kentucky 
border.

Wisconsin

    Horicon Zone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at the 
intersection of State Highway 21 and the Fox River in Winnebago County 
and extending westerly along State 21 to the west boundary of Winnebago 
County, southerly along the west boundary of Winnebago County to the 
north boundary of Green Lake County, westerly along the north 
boundaries of Green Lake and Marquette Counties to State 22, southerly 
along State 22 to State 33, westerly along State 33 to U.S. Highway 16, 
westerly along U.S. 16 to Weyh Road, southerly along Weyh Road to 
County Highway O, southerly along County O to the west boundary of 
Section 31, southerly along the west boundary of Section 31 to the 
Sauk/Columbia County boundary, southerly along the Sauk/Columbia County 
boundary to State 33, easterly along State 33 to Interstate Highway 90/
94, southerly along I-90/94 to State 60, easterly along State 60 to 
State 83, northerly along State 83 to State 175, northerly along State 
175 to State 33, easterly along State 33 to U.S. Highway 45, northerly 
along U.S. 45 to the east shore of the Fond Du Lac River, northerly 
along the east shore of the Fond Du Lac River to Lake Winnebago, 
northerly along the western shoreline of Lake Winnebago to the Fox 
River, then westerly along the Fox River to State 21.
    Collins Zone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at the 
intersection of Hilltop Road and Collins Marsh Road in Manitowoc County 
and extending westerly along Hilltop Road to Humpty Dumpty Road, 
southerly along Humpty Dumpty Road to Poplar Grove Road, easterly and 
southerly along Poplar Grove Road to County Highway JJ, southeasterly 
along County JJ to Collins Road, southerly along Collins Road to the 
Manitowoc River, southeasterly along the Manitowoc River to Quarry 
Road, northerly along Quarry Road to Einberger Road, northerly along 
Einberger Road to Moschel Road, westerly along Moschel Road to Collins 
Marsh Road, northerly along Collins Marsh Road to Hilltop Road.
    Exterior Zone: That portion of the State not included in the 
Horicon or Collins Zones.
    Mississippi River Subzone: That area encompassed by a line 
beginning at the intersection of the Burlington Northern & Santa Fe 
Railway and the Illinois border in Grant County and extending northerly 
along the Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway to the city limit of 
Prescott in Pierce County, then west along the Prescott city limit to 
the Minnesota border.
    Rock Prairie Subzone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at 
the intersection of the Illinois border and Interstate Highway 90 and 
extending north along I-90 to County Highway A, east along County A to 
U.S. Highway 12, southeast along U.S. 12 to State Highway 50, west 
along State 50 to State 120, then south along 120 to the Illinois 
border.
    Brown County Subzone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at 
the intersection of the Fox River with Green Bay in Brown County and 
extending southerly along the Fox River to State Highway 29, 
northwesterly along State 29 to the Brown County line, south, east, and 
north along the Brown County line to Green Bay, due west to the 
midpoint of the Green Bay Ship Channel, then southwesterly along the 
Green Bay Ship Channel to the Fox River.

Central Flyway

Colorado (Central Flyway Portion)

    Northern Front Range Area: All lands in Adams, Boulder, Clear 
Creek, Denver, Gilpin, Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld Counties west of I-
25 from the Wyoming border south to I-70; west on I-70 to the 
Continental Divide; north along the Continental Divide to the Jackson-
Larimer County Line to the Wyoming border.
    South Park/San Luis Valley Area: Alamosa, Chaffee, Conejos, 
Costilla, Custer, Fremont, Lake, Park, Teller, and Rio Grande Counties 
and those portions of Hinsdale, Mineral, and Saguache Counties east of 
the Continental Divide.
    North Park Area: Jackson County.
    Arkansas Valley Area: Baca, Bent, Crowley, Kiowa, Otero, and 
Prowers Counties.
    Pueblo County Area: Pueblo County.
    Remainder: Remainder of the Central Flyway portion of Colorado.
    Eastern Colorado Late Light Goose Area: that portion of the State 
east of Interstate Highway 25.

Kansas

Light Geese

    Unit 1: That portion of Kansas east of a line beginning at the 
intersection of the Nebraska border and KS 99, extending south along KS 
99 to I-70 to U.S. 75, south on U.S. 75 to U.S. 54, west on U.S. 54 to 
KS 99, and then south on KS 99 to the Oklahoma border.
    Unit 2: The remainder of Kansas, laying west of Unit 1.

Dark Geese

    Marais des Cygnes Valley Unit: The area is bounded by the Missouri 
border to KS 68, KS 68 to U.S. 169, U.S. 169 to KS 7, KS 7 to KS 31, KS 
31 to U.S. 69, U.S. 69 to KS 239, KS 239 to the Missouri border.
    Southeast Unit: That part of Kansas bounded by a line from the 
Kansas-Missouri State line west on US-160 to its junction with US-69, 
then north on US-69 to its junction with K-39, then west on K-39 to its 
junction with US-169, then south on US-169 to its junction with the 
Kansas-Oklahoma State line, then east on the Kansas-Oklahoma State line 
to its junction with the Kansas-Missouri State line, then north on the 
Kansas-Missouri State line to its junction with US-160, except Federal 
and State sanctuaries.

Montana (Central Flyway Portion)

    Sheridan County: Includes all of Sheridan County.
    Remainder: Includes the remainder of the Central Flyway portion of 
Montana.

Nebraska

Dark Geese

    North Unit: Keya Paha County east of U.S. 183 and all of Boyd 
County, including the boundary waters of the Niobrara River, all of 
Knox County and that portion of Cedar County west of U.S. 81.
    Platte River Unit: That area south and west of U.S. 281 at the 
Kansas/Nebraska border, north to Giltner Road (near Doniphan), east to 
NE 14, north to NE 91, west to U.S. 183, south to NE 92, west to NE 61, 
north to U.S. 2, west to the intersection of Garden, Grant, and 
Sheridan counties, then west along the northern border of Garden, 
Morrill, and

[[Page 58173]]

Scotts Bluff counties to the Wyoming border.
    Northcentral Unit: That area north of the Southcentral Unit and 
west of U.S. 183.
    East Unit: The remainder of Nebraska.

Light Geese

    Rainwater Basin Light Goose Area (West): The area bounded by the 
junction of U.S. 283 and U.S. 30 at Lexington, east on U.S. 30 to U.S. 
281, south on U.S. 281 to NE 4, west on NE 4 to U.S. 34, continue west 
on U.S. 34 to U.S. 283, then north on U.S. 283 to the beginning.
    Rainwater Basin Light Goose Area (East): The area bounded by the 
junction of U.S. 281 and US 30 at Grand Island, north and east on U.S. 
30 to NE 92, east on NE 92 to NE 15, south on NE 15 to NE 4, west on NE 
4 to U.S. 281, north on U.S. 281 to the beginning.
    Remainder of State: The remainder portion of Nebraska.

New Mexico (Central Flyway Portion)

Dark Geese

    Middle Rio Grande Valley Unit: Sierra, Socorro, and Valencia 
counties.
    Remainder: The remainder of the Central Flyway portion of New 
Mexico.

South Dakota

Canada Geese

    Unit 1: Statewide except for Units 2, 3 and 4.
    Big Stone Power Plant Area: That portion of Grant and Roberts 
Counties east of SD 15 and north of SD 20.
    Unit 2: Brule, Buffalo, Campbell, Charles Mix, Dewey, Gregory, 
Hughes, Hyde, Lyman, Potter, Stanley, Sully, and Walworth Counties and 
that portion of Corson County east of South Dakota State Highway 65.
    Unit 3: Clark, Codington, Day, Deuel, Grant, Hamlin, Marshall, and 
Roberts Counties.
    Unit 4: Bennett County.

Texas

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

Wyoming (Central Flyway Portion)

    Area 1: Hot Springs, Natrona, and Washakie Counties, and that 
portion of Park County south of T58N.
    Area 2: Converse and Platte County.
    Area 3: Albany, Big Horn, Campbell, Crook, Fremont, Johnson, 
Laramie, Niobrara, Sheridan, and Weston Counties and those portions of 
Carbon County east of the Continental Divide and Park County north of 
T58N.
    Area 4: Goshen County.

Pacific Flyway

Arizona

    GMU 1 and 27: Game Management Units 1 and 27.
    GMU 22 and 23: Game Management Units 22 and 23.
    Remainder of State: The remainder of Arizona.

California

    Northeastern Zone: That portion of the State east and north of a 
line beginning at the Oregon border; south and west along the Klamath 
River to the mouth of Shovel Creek; south along Shovel Creek to Forest 
Service Road 46N10; south and east along FS 46N10 to FS 45N22; west and 
south along FS 45N22 to U.S. 97 at Grass Lake Summit; south and west 
along U.S. 97 to I-5 at the town of Weed; south along I-5 to CA 89; 
east and south along CA 89 to the junction with CA 49; east and north 
on CA 49 to CA 70; east on CA 70 to U.S. 395; south and east on U.S. 
395 to the Nevada border.
    Colorado River Zone: Those portions of San Bernardino, Riverside, 
and Imperial Counties east of a line extending from the Nevada border 
south along U.S. 95 to Vidal Junction; south on a road known as 
``Aqueduct Road'' in San Bernardino County through the town of Rice to 
the San Bernardino-Riverside County line; south on a road known in 
Riverside County as the ``Desert Center to Rice Road'' to the town of 
Desert Center; east 31 miles on I-10 to the Wiley Well Road; south on 
this road to Wiley Well; southeast along the Army-Milpitas Road to the 
Blythe, Brawley, Davis Lake intersections; south on the Blythe-Brawley 
paved road to the Ogilby and Tumco Mine Road; south on this road to 
U.S. 80; east seven miles on U.S. 80 to the Andrade-Algodones Road; 
south on this paved road to the Mexican border at Algodones, Mexico.
    Southern Zone: That portion of southern California (but excluding 
the Colorado River Zone) south and east of a line extending from the 
Pacific Ocean east along the Santa Maria River to CA 166 near the City 
of Santa Maria; east on CA 166 to CA 99; south on CA 99 to the crest of 
the Tehachapi Mountains at Tejon Pass; east and north along the crest 
of the Tehachapi Mountains to CA 178 at Walker Pass; east on CA 178 to 
U.S. 395 at the town of Inyokern; south on U.S. 395 to CA 58; east on 
CA 58 to I-15; east on I-15 to CA 127; north on CA 127 to the Nevada 
border.
    Balance-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of California not included 
in the Northeastern, Southern, and the Colorado River Zones.
    Del Norte and Humboldt Area: The Counties of Del Norte and 
Humboldt.
    Sacramento Valley Special Management Area (East): That area bounded 
by a line beginning at the junction of the Gridley-Colusa Highway and 
the Cherokee Canal; west on the Gridley-Colusa Highway to Gould Road; 
west on Gould Road and due west 0.75 miles directly to Highway 45; 
south on Highway 45 to Highway 20; east on Highway 20 to West Butte 
Road; north on West Butte Road to Pass Road; west on Pass Road to West 
Butte Road; north on West Butte Road to North Butte Road; west on North 
Butte Road and due west 0.5 miles directly to the Cherokee Canal; north 
on the Cherokee Canal to the point of beginning.
    Sacramento Valley Special Management Area (West): That area bounded 
by a line beginning at Willows south on I-5 to Hahn Road; easterly on 
Hahn Road and the Grimes-Arbuckle Road to Grimes; northerly on CA 45 to 
the junction with CA 162; northerly on CA 45/162 to Glenn; and westerly 
on CA 162 to the point of beginning in Willows.
    San Joaquin Valley Special Management Area: That area bounded by a 
line beginning at the intersection of Highway 5 and Highway 120; south 
on Highway 5 to Highway 33; southeast on Highway 33 to Crows Landing 
Road; north on Crows Landing Road to Highway 99; north on Highway 99 to 
Highway 120; west on Highway 120 to the point of beginning.
    Western Canada Goose Hunt Area: That portion of the above described 
Sacramento Valley Area lying east of a line formed by Butte Creek from 
the Gridley-Colusa Highway south to the Cherokee Canal; easterly along 
the Cherokee Canal and North Butte Road to West Butte Road; southerly 
on West Butte Road to Pass Road; easterly on Pass Road to West Butte 
Road; southerly on West Butte Road to CA 20; and westerly along CA 20 
to the Sacramento River.

Colorado (Pacific Flyway Portion)

    West Central Area: Archuleta, Delta, Dolores, Gunnison, LaPlata, 
Montezuma, Montrose, Ouray, San Juan, and San Miguel Counties and those 
portions of Hinsdale, Mineral, and Saguache Counties west of the 
Continental Divide.
    State Area: The remainder of the Pacific-Flyway Portion of 
Colorado.

[[Page 58174]]

Idaho

    Zone 1: Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Clearwater, Idaho, Kootenai, 
Latah, Lewis, Nez Perce, and Shoshone Counties.
    Zone 2: The Counties of Ada; Adams; Boise; Canyon; those portions 
of Elmore north and east of I-84, and south and west of I-84, west of 
ID 51, except the Camas Creek drainage; Gem; Owyhee west of ID 51; 
Payette; Valley; and Washington.
    Zone 3: The Counties of Blaine; Camas; Cassia; those portions of 
Elmore south of I-84 east of ID 51, and within the Camas Creek 
drainage; Gooding; Jerome; Lincoln; Minidoka; Owyhee east of ID 51; 
Power within the Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge; and Twin Falls.
    Zone 4: The Counties of Bear Lake; Bingham within the Blackfoot 
Reservoir drainage; Bonneville, Butte; Caribou except the Fort Hall 
Indian Reservation; Clark; Custer; Franklin; Fremont; Jefferson; Lemhi; 
Madison; Oneida; Power west of ID 37 and ID 39 except the Minidoka 
National Wildlife Refuge; and Teton.
    Zone 5: All lands and waters within the Fort Hall Indian 
Reservation, including private inholdings; Bannock County; Bingham 
County, except that portion within the Blackfoot Reservoir drainage; 
and Power County east of ID 37 and ID 39.
    In addition, goose frameworks are set by the following geographical 
areas: Northern Unit: Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Clearwater, Idaho, 
Kootenai, Latah, Lewis, Nez Perce, and Shoshone Counties.
    Southwestern Unit: That area west of the line formed by U.S. 93 
north from the Nevada border to Shoshone, northerly on ID 75 (formerly 
U.S. 93) to Challis, northerly on U.S. 93 to the Montana border (except 
the Northern Unit and except Custer and Lemhi Counties).
    Southeastern Unit: That area east of the line formed by U.S. 93 
north from the Nevada border to Shoshone, northerly on ID 75 (formerly 
U.S. 93) to Challis, northerly on U.S. 93 to the Montana border, 
including all of Custer and Lemhi Counties.

Montana (Pacific Flyway Portion)

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

Nevada

    Lincoln Clark County Zone: All of Lincoln and Clark Counties
    Remainder-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of Nevada.

New Mexico (Pacific Flyway Portion)

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

Oregon

    Southwest Zone: Douglas, Coos, Curry, Josephine, and Jackson 
Counties.
    Northwest Special Permit Zone: That portion of western Oregon west 
and north of a line running south from the Columbia River in Portland 
along I-5 to OR 22 at Salem; then east on OR 22 to the Stayton Cutoff; 
then south on the Stayton Cutoff to Stayton and due south to the 
Santiam River; then west along the north shore of the Santiam River to 
I-5; then south on I-5 to OR 126 at Eugene; then west on OR 126 to 
Greenhill Road; then south on Greenhill Road to Crow Road; then west on 
Crow Road to Territorial Hwy; then west on Territorial Hwy to OR 126; 
then west on OR 126 to OR 36; then north on OR 36 to Forest Road 5070 
at Brickerville; then west and south on Forest Road 5070 to OR 126; 
then west on OR 126 to the Pacific Coast.
    Northwest Zone: Those portions of Clackamas, Lane, Linn, Marion, 
Multnomah, and Washington Counties outside of the Northwest Special 
Permit Zone.
    Closed Zone: Those portions of Coos, Curry, Douglas and Lane 
Counties west of US 101.
    Eastern Zone: Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam, Morrow, 
Umatilla, Deschutes, Jefferson, Crook, Wheeler, Grant, Baker, Union, 
and Wallowa Counties.
    Lake County Zone: All of Lake County.

Utah

    Washington County Zone: All of Washington County.
    Remainder-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of Utah.

Washington

    Eastern Washington: All areas east of the Pacific Crest Trail and 
east of the Big White Salmon River in Klickitat County.
    Area 1: Lincoln, Spokane, and Walla Walla Counties; that part of 
Grant County east of a line beginning at the Douglas-Lincoln County 
line on WA 174, southwest on WA 174 to WA 155, south on WA 155 to US 2, 
southwest on US 2 to Pinto Ridge Road, south on Pinto Ridge Road to WA 
28, east on WA 28 to the Stratford Road, south on the Stratford Road to 
WA 17, south on WA 17 to the Grant-Adams County line; those parts of 
Adams County east of State Highway 17; those parts of Franklin County 
east and south of a line beginning at the Adams-Franklin County line on 
WA 17, south on WA 17 to US 395, south on US 395 to I-182, west of I-
182 to the Franklin-Benton County line; those parts of Benton County 
south of I-182 and I-82; and those parts of Klickitat County east of 
U.S. Highway 97.
    Area 2: All of Okanongan, Douglas, and Kittitas Counties and those 
parts of Grant, Adams, Franklin, and Benton Counties not included in 
Eastern Washington Goose Management Area 1.
    Area 3: All other parts of eastern Washington not included in 
Eastern Washington Goose Management Areas 1 and 2.
    Western Washington: All areas west of the East Zone.
    Area 1: Skagit, Island, and Snohomish Counties.
    Area 2: Clark County, except portions south of the Washougal River, 
Cowlitz, Pacific, and Wahkiakum Counties, and that portion of Grays 
Harbor County south of U.S. highway 12 and east of U.S. highway 101.
    Area 3: All parts of western Washington not included in Western 
Washington Goose Management Areas 1 and 2.
    Lower Columbia River Early-Season Canada Goose Zone: Beginning at 
the Washington-Oregon border on the I-5 Bridge near Vancouver, 
Washington; north on I-5 to Kelso; west on Highway 4 from Kelso to 
Highway 401; south and west on Highway 401 to Highway 101 at the 
Astoria-Megler Bridge; west on Highway 101 to Gray Drive in the City of 
Ilwaco; west on Gray Drive to Canby Road; southwest on Canby Road to 
the North Jetty; southwest on the North Jetty to its end; southeast to 
the Washington-Oregon border; upstream along the Washington-Oregon 
border to the point of origin.

Wyoming (Pacific Flyway Portion): See State Regulations

    Bear River Area: That portion of Lincoln County described in State 
regulations.
    Salt River Area: That portion of Lincoln County described in State 
regulations.
    Eden-Farson Area: Those portions of Sweetwater and Sublette 
Counties described in State regulations.

Swans

Central Flyway

    South Dakota: Aurora, Beadle, Brookings, Brown, Brule, Buffalo,

[[Page 58175]]

Campbell, Clark, Codington, Davison, Deuel, Day, Edmunds, Faulk, Grant, 
Hamlin, Hand, Hanson, Hughes, Hyde, Jerauld, Kingsbury, Lake, Marshall, 
McCook, McPherson, Miner, Minnehaha, Moody, Potter, Roberts, Sanborn, 
Spink, Sully, and Walworth Counties.

Pacific Flyway

Montana (Pacific Flyway Portion)

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

Nevada

    Open Area: Churchill, Lyon, and Pershing Counties.

Utah

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

[FR Doc. 00-24611 Filed 9-26-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P