48822 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

Fish and Wildlife Service 

50 CFR Parts 32 and 71 

[Docket No. FWS–HQ–NWRS–2021–0027; 

FXRS12610900000–212–FF09R20000] 

RIN 1018–BF09 

2021–2022 Station-Specific Hunting 

and Sport Fishing Regulations 

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, 

Interior. 

ACTION: Final rule. 

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service (Service), open, for the 

first time, seven National Wildlife 

Refuges (NWRs) that are currently 

closed to hunting and sport fishing. In 

addition, we open or expand hunting 

and sport fishing at 81 other NWRs, and 

add pertinent station-specific 

regulations for other NWRs that pertain 

to migratory game bird hunting, upland 

game hunting, big game hunting, and 

sport fishing for the 2021–2022 season. 

We also open hunting or sport fishing 

on one unit of the National Fish 

Hatchery System (NFH). We add 

pertinent station-specific regulations 

that pertain to migratory game bird 

hunting, upland game hunting, big game 

hunting, and sport fishing at this NFH 

for the 2021–2022 season. Finally, we 

make regulatory changes to existing 

station-specific regulations in order to 

reduce the regulatory burden on the 

public, increase access for hunters and 

anglers on Service lands and waters, 

and comply with a Presidential mandate 

for plain language standards. 

DATES: This rule is effective August 31, 

2021. 

ADDRESSES: This final rule, its 

supporting documents, and the 

comments we received on the May 4, 

2021, proposed rule (86 FR 23794) are 

available at http://www.regulations.gov 

at Docket No. FWS–HQ–NWRS–2021– 

0027. 

Information collection requirements: 

Written comments and suggestions on 

the information collection requirements 

may be submitted at any time to the 

Service Information Collection 

Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service, 5275 Leesburg Pike, 

MS: PRB (JAO/3W), Falls Church, VA 

22041–3803 (mail); or Info_Coll@fws.gov 

(email). Please reference ‘‘OMB Control 

Number 1018–0140’’ in the subject line 

of your comments. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Christian Myers, (571) 422–3595. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background 

The National Wildlife Refuge System 

Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 

668dd–668ee), as amended 

(Administration Act), closes NWRs in 

all States except Alaska to all uses until 

opened. The Secretary of the Interior 

(Secretary) may open refuge areas to any 

use, including hunting and/or sport 

fishing, upon a determination that the 

use is compatible with the purposes of 

the refuge and National Wildlife Refuge 

System mission. The action also must be 

in accordance with provisions of all 

laws applicable to the areas, developed 

in coordination with the appropriate 

State fish and wildlife agency(ies), 

consistent with the principles of sound 

fish and wildlife management and 

administration, and otherwise in the 

public interest. These requirements 

ensure that we maintain the biological 

integrity, diversity, and environmental 

health of the Refuge System for the 

benefit of present and future generations 

of Americans. 

We annually review hunting and 

sport fishing programs to determine 

whether to include additional stations 

or whether individual station 

regulations governing existing programs 

need modifications. Changing 

environmental conditions, State and 

Federal regulations, and other factors 

affecting fish and wildlife populations 

and habitat may warrant modifications 

to station-specific regulations to ensure 

the continued compatibility of hunting 

and sport fishing programs and to 

ensure that these programs will not 

materially interfere with or detract from 

the fulfillment of station purposes or the 

Service’s mission. 

Provisions governing hunting and 

sport fishing on refuges are in title 50 of 

the Code of Federal Regulations at part 

32 (50 CFR part 32), and on hatcheries 

at part 71 (50 CFR part 71). We regulate 

hunting and sport fishing to: 

• Ensure compatibility with refuge 

and hatchery purpose(s); 

• Properly manage fish and wildlife 

resource(s); 

• Protect other values; 

• Ensure visitor safety; and 

• Provide opportunities for fish- and 

wildlife-dependent recreation. 

On many stations where we decide to 

allow hunting and sport fishing, our 

general policy of adopting regulations 

identical to State hunting and sport 

fishing regulations is adequate in 

meeting these objectives. On other 

stations, we must supplement State 

regulations with more-restrictive 

Federal regulations to ensure that we 

meet our management responsibilities, 

as outlined under Statutory Authority, 

below. We issue station-specific hunting 

and sport fishing regulations when we 

open wildlife refuges and fish 

hatcheries to migratory game bird 

hunting, upland game hunting, big game 

hunting, or sport fishing. These 

regulations may list the wildlife species 

that you may hunt or fish; seasons; bag 

or creel (container for carrying fish) 

limits; methods of hunting or sport 

fishing; descriptions of areas open to 

hunting or sport fishing; and other 

provisions as appropriate. 

Statutory Authority 

The Administration Act, as amended 

by the National Wildlife Refuge System 

Improvement Act of 1997 (Improvement 

Act; Pub. L. 105–57), governs the 

administration and public use of 

refuges, and the Refuge Recreation Act 

of 1962 (16 U.S.C. 460k–460k–4) 

(Recreation Act) governs the 

administration and public use of refuges 

and hatcheries. 

Amendments enacted by the 

Improvement Act were built upon the 

Administration Act in a manner that 

provides an ‘‘organic act’’ for the Refuge 

System, similar to organic acts that exist 

for other public Federal lands. The 

Improvement Act serves to ensure that 

we effectively manage the Refuge 

System as a national network of lands, 

waters, and interests for the protection 

and conservation of our Nation’s 

wildlife resources. The Administration 

Act states first and foremost that we 

focus our Refuge System mission on 

conservation of fish, wildlife, and plant 

resources and their habitats. The 

Improvement Act requires the Secretary, 

before allowing a new use of a refuge, 

or before expanding, renewing, or 

extending an existing use of a refuge, to 

determine that the use is compatible 

with the purpose for which the refuge 

was established and the mission of the 

Refuge System. The Improvement Act 

established as the policy of the United 

States that wildlife-dependent 

recreation, when compatible, is a 

legitimate and appropriate public use of 

the Refuge System, through which the 

American public can develop an 

appreciation for fish and wildlife. The 

Improvement Act established six 

wildlife-dependent recreational uses as 

the priority general public uses of the 

Refuge System. These uses are hunting, 

fishing, wildlife observation and 

photography, and environmental 

education and interpretation. 

The Recreation Act authorizes the 

Secretary to administer areas within the 

Refuge System and Hatchery System for 

public recreation as an appropriate 

incidental or secondary use only to the 

extent that doing so is practicable and 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 48823 

not inconsistent with the primary 

purpose(s) for which Congress and the 

Service established the areas. The 

Recreation Act requires that any 

recreational use of refuge or hatchery 

lands be compatible with the primary 

purpose(s) for which we established the 

refuge and not inconsistent with other 

previously authorized operations. 

The Administration Act and 

Recreation Act also authorize the 

Secretary to issue regulations to carry 

out the purposes of the Acts and 

regulate uses. 

We develop specific management 

plans for each refuge prior to opening it 

to hunting or sport fishing. In many 

cases, we develop station-specific 

regulations to ensure the compatibility 

of the programs with the purpose(s) for 

which we established the refuge or 

hatchery and the Refuge and Hatchery 

System mission. We ensure initial 

compliance with the Administration Act 

and the Recreation Act for hunting and 

sport fishing on newly acquired land 

through an interim determination of 

compatibility made at or near the time 

of acquisition. These regulations ensure 

that we make the determinations 

required by these acts prior to adding 

refuges to the lists of areas open to 

hunting and sport fishing in 50 CFR 

parts 32 and 71. We ensure continued 

compliance by the development of 

comprehensive conservation plans 

(CCPs) and step-down management 

plans, and by annual review of hunting 

and sport fishing programs and 

regulations. 

Summary of Comments and Responses 

On May 4, 2021, we published in the 

Federal Register (86 FR 23794) a 

proposed rule to open sport fishing at 

one NFH, open seven NWRs that are 

currently closed to hunting and sport 

fishing, expand hunting and sport 

fishing at 83 other NWRs, and add 

pertinent station-specific regulations for 

other NWRs that pertain to migratory 

game bird hunting, upland game 

hunting, big game hunting, and sport 

fishing for the 2021–2022 season. We 

accepted public comments on the 

proposed rule for 60 days, ending July 

6, 2021. By that date, we received more 

than 1,200 comments on the proposed 

rule. More than two-thirds of these 

comments were form letters or 

otherwise identical duplicates of other 

comments on the proposed rule, and the 

vast majority of those were submitted by 

one organization and were supportive of 

the rule. The majority of the substantive 

comments on the proposed rule stated 

that the Service should prohibit lead 

ammunition and tackle on some or all 

stations. The Service recognizes that 

lead is an important issue and will 

continue to appropriately evaluate and 

regulate lead ammunition and tackle on 

Service lands and waters. We discuss 

the remaining unique comments we 

received below by topic. Beyond our 

responses below, additional stationspecific information on how we 

responded to comments on particular 

hunting or fishing opportunities at a 

given refuge or hatchery can be found in 

that station’s final hunting and/or 

fishing package, each of which can be 

located online at: https://www.fws.gov/ 

refuges/hunting/rules-regulations-andimproved-access/. 

Comment (1): We received a 

substantial number of comments 

expressing general support for the 

proposed changes in the rule. Of the 

unique comments on the rule, more 

than half were in general support of the 

proposed changes. These comments of 

general support either expressed 

appreciation for the increased hunting 

and fishing access in the rule overall, 

expressed appreciation for increased 

access at particular refuges, or both. In 

addition to this general support, some 

commenters requested additional 

hunting and fishing opportunities at 

specific stations or generally in several 

States. 

Our Response: Hunting and fishing on 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service lands is 

a tradition that dates back to the early 

1900s. In passing the Improvement Act, 

Congress reaffirmed that the Refuge 

System was created to conserve fish, 

wildlife, plants, and their habitats, and 

would facilitate opportunities for 

Americans to participate in compatible 

wildlife-dependent recreation, 

including hunting and fishing on Refuge 

System lands. We prioritize wildlifedependent recreation, including hunting 

and fishing, when doing so is 

compatible with the purpose of the 

refuge and the mission of the NWRS. 

Hunting or fishing on hatcheries, unlike 

Refuge System lands, is authorized 

when such activity is not detrimental to 

the propagation and distribution of fish 

or other aquatic wildlife (see 50 CFR 

71.1). 

We will continue to open and expand 

hunting and sport fishing opportunities 

across refuges and hatcheries; however, 

as detailed further in our response to 

Comment (2), below, opening or 

expanding hunting or fishing 

opportunities on Service lands is not a 

quick or simple process. The annual 

regulatory cycle begins in June or July 

of each year for the following hunting 

and sport fishing season (the planning 

cycle for this 2021–2022 final rule began 

in June 2020). This annual timeline 

allows us time to collaborate closely 

with our State, Tribal, and Territorial 

partners, as well as other partners 

including nongovernmental 

organizations, on potential 

opportunities. It also provides us with 

time to complete environmental 

analyses and other requirements for 

opening or expanding new 

opportunities. Therefore, it would be 

impracticable for the Service to 

complete multiple regulatory cycles in 

one calendar year due to the logistics of 

coordinating with various partners. 

Once we determine that a hunting or 

sport fishing opportunity can be carried 

out in a manner compatible with 

individual station purposes and 

objectives, we work expeditiously to 

open it. 

We did not make any changes to the 

rule as a result of these comments. 

Comment (2): Many commenters 

expressed general opposition to any 

hunting or fishing in the Refuge System. 

Of the unique comments on the rule, 

less than one-fourth were in general 

opposition to the proposed changes 

without raising any substantive issues. 

In many cases, commenters stated that 

hunting was antithetical to the purposes 

of a ‘‘refuge,’’ which, in their opinion, 

should serve as an inviolate sanctuary 

for all wildlife. Some of these 

commenters generically opposed 

expanded or new hunting or fishing 

opportunities at specific stations. 

Our Response: The Service prioritizes 

facilitating wildlife-dependent 

recreational opportunities, including 

hunting and fishing, on Service land in 

compliance with applicable Service law 

and policy. For refuges, the 

Administration Act, as amended, 

stipulates that hunting (along with 

fishing, wildlife observation and 

photography, and environmental 

education and interpretation), if found 

to be compatible, is a legitimate and 

priority general public use of a refuge 

and should be facilitated (16 U.S.C. 

668dd(a)(3)(D)). Thus, we only allow 

hunting of resident wildlife on Refuge 

System lands if such activity has been 

determined compatible with the 

established purpose(s) of the refuge and 

the mission of the Refuge System as 

required by the Administration Act. For 

hatcheries, we allow hunting and 

fishing when such activity is 

determined not to be detrimental to the 

propagation and distribution of fish or 

other aquatic wildlife (see 50 CFR 71.1). 

For all 89 stations opening and/or 

expanding hunting and/or fishing in 

this rule, we determined that the 

proposed actions were compatible or 

would not have detrimental impacts. 

Each station manager makes a 

decision regarding hunting and fishing 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
48824 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

opportunities only after rigorous 

examination of the available 

information, consultation and 

coordination with States and Tribes, 

and compliance with the National 

Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 42 

U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and section 7 of the 

Endangered Species Act of 1973, as 

amended (ESA; 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), 

as well as other applicable laws and 

regulations. The many steps taken 

before a station opens or expands a 

hunting or fishing opportunity on the 

refuge ensure that the Service does not 

allow any opportunity that would 

compromise the purpose of the station 

or the mission of the agency. 

Hunting of resident wildlife on 

Service lands generally occurs 

consistent with State regulations, 

including seasons and bag limits. 

Station-specific hunting regulations can 

be more restrictive (but not more liberal) 

than State regulations and often are 

more restrictive in order to help meet 

specific refuge objectives. These 

objectives include resident wildlife 

population and habitat objectives, 

minimizing disturbance impacts to 

wildlife, maintaining high-quality 

opportunities for hunting and other 

wildlife-dependent recreation, 

eliminating or minimizing conflicts 

with other public uses and/or refuge 

management activities, and protecting 

public safety. 

The word ‘‘refuge’’ includes the idea 

of providing a haven of safety for 

wildlife, and as such, hunting might 

seem an inconsistent use of the Refuge 

System. However, again, the 

Administration Act stipulates that 

hunting, if found compatible, is a 

legitimate and priority general public 

use of a refuge. Furthermore, we manage 

refuges to support healthy wildlife 

populations that in many cases produce 

harvestable surpluses that are a 

renewable resource. As practiced on 

refuges, hunting and fishing do not pose 

a threat to wildlife populations. It is 

important to note that taking certain 

individuals through hunting does not 

necessarily reduce a population overall, 

as hunting can simply replace other 

types of mortality. In some cases, 

however, we use hunting as a 

management tool with the explicit goal 

of reducing a population; this is often 

the case with exotic and/or invasive 

species that threaten ecosystem 

stability. Therefore, facilitating hunting 

opportunities is an important aspect of 

the Service’s roles and responsibilities 

as outlined in the legislation 

establishing the Refuge System, and the 

Service will continue to facilitate these 

opportunities where compatible with 

the purpose of the specific refuge and 

the mission of the Refuge System. 

We did not make any changes to the 

rule as a result of these comments. 

Comment (3): We received comments 

from 13 individual State agencies and 

the Association of Fish and Wildlife 

Agencies on the proposed rule. The 

Oklahoma Department of Wildlife 

Conservation; South Dakota Department 

of Game, Fish, and Parks; Montana 

Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks; 

Idaho Department of Fish and Game; 

Missouri Department of Conservation; 

Michigan Department of Natural 

Resources; and Arkansas Game and Fish 

Commission all expressed general 

support for the proposed rule without 

additional comments. The Wisconsin 

Department of Natural Resources 

expressed general support of the 

changes in the proposed rule, but also 

requested additional changes at 

Necedah NWR. The New Jersey Division 

of Fish and Wildlife expressed general 

support of the changes in the proposed 

rule, but also requested additional 

changes at Cape May and Supawna 

Meadows NWRs. The Wyoming Game 

and Fish Department expressed general 

support of the changes in the proposed 

rule, but requested minor changes to the 

hunt units at the National Elk Refuge; 

minor changes to waterfowl hunting at 

the National Elk Refuge; additional 

hunting opportunities at Bamsforth, 

Hutton Lake, and Mortenson Lake 

NWRs; and additional opportunities on 

National Park Service and Bureau of 

Land Management lands. The Virginia 

Department of Wildlife Resources 

expressed general support of the 

changes in the proposed rule, but 

suggested that Eastern Shore of Virginia 

and Fisherman’s Island NWRs provide 

additional analysis and details on 

particular hunting and fishing 

opportunities there and requested that 

Great Dismal Swamp NWR: (1) Combine 

a bear hunting permit with a general 

hunting permit, (2) allow spring turkey 

hunting, (3) expand to full week 

hunting, and (4) provide additional 

information about parking areas. The 

North Carolina Wildlife Resources 

Commission expressed general support 

of the changes in the proposed rule, but 

requested that we add regulatory 

language listing Atlantic brant among 

the migratory bird hunting target species 

for Mackay Island NWR and stating a 

requirement for hunters to have North 

Carolina State licenses and permits. The 

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife 

expressed general support of the 

changes in the proposed rule, but 

requested we edit the regulatory 

language at William L. Finley NWR to 

align more closely with the State 

regulations by removing ‘‘merganser’’ 

from the species list, as it is already 

considered a duck species. The Arizona 

Game and Fish Department expressed 

general support of the changes in the 

proposed rule, but requested the Service 

to consider allowing the use of falconry 

on refuges within the State of Arizona, 

including Bill Williams NWR and 

Havasu NWR; requested the Service to 

consider aligning to State regulations for 

the use of dogs while hunting; requested 

the Service consider aligning to State 

regulations for legal methods of take in 

hunting javelina; and expressed 

concerns about regulatory differences 

between refuges within the same State. 

Finally, the Association of Fish and 

Wildlife Agencies expressed general 

support of the changes in the proposed 

rule, but requested the Service consider 

additional opportunities on refuges in 

Alaska. 

Our Response: The Service 

appreciates the support of, and is 

committed to working with, our State 

partners to identify additional 

opportunities for expansion of hunting 

and sport fishing on Service lands and 

waters. 

In response to the Wisconsin 

Department of Natural Resources, we 

have made no changes to the rule. We 

will not address their concerns in this 

rule because the proposed expansions at 

Necedah NWR are no longer part of this 

final rule. We will, however, consider 

the Department’s requests in shaping 

any future proposed openings or 

expansions at Necedah NWR. 

In response to the New Jersey 

Division of Fish and Wildlife, the 

Service extends hours for fishing to 1 

hour before legal sunrise and 1 hour 

after legal sunset at both Cape May and 

Supawna Meadows NWRs. The Service 

will consider additional vehicle access 

at Cape May NWR and crabbing/ 

shellfishing at Cape May and Supawna 

Meadows NWRs for future rulemakings, 

but we cannot make those additions at 

this time. 

As suggested by the Wyoming Game 

and Fish Department, we have renamed 

the hunt units at the National Elk 

Refuge in order to reduce confusion for 

the public. The Service did not make 

changes to the white-tailed deer hunt 

season dates to avoid conflict with the 

refuge’s elk hunt, and the Service does 

not plan to consider opening waterfowl 

hunting on the refuge due to the 

presence of trumpeter swan 

populations, as trumpeter swan is a 

Priority 1 Species of Special Concern for 

the Wyoming Game & Fish Department, 

and due to the potential for conflict 

with other compatible uses on the 

refuge at that time. The Service 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 48825 

appreciates the Department’s comments 

regarding Bamsforth, Hutton Lake, and 

Mortenson Lake NWRs, and we will 

consider opening additional 

opportunities on those refuges in future 

rulemakings. The Service cannot 

comment on potential opportunities on 

National Park Service and Bureau of 

Land Management lands, and requests 

that the State work directly with those 

agencies for additional opportunities. 

In response to the Virginia 

Department of Wildlife Resources, we 

have made no changes to the rule, but 

will add much of the requested 

information, where appropriate, to 

supporting documents. Specific 

information on how we responded to 

the Virginia Department of Wildlife 

Resources’ suggestions for more detail 

on particular hunting and fishing 

opportunities at Eastern Shore of 

Virginia and Fisherman Island NWRs 

can be found in those stations’ final 

hunt plan, compatibility determination, 

and finding of no significant impact 

documents. With respect to Great 

Dismal Swamp NWR, first, we cannot 

combine the bear hunting permit with 

the general hunting permit due to the 

strict harvest quota of 20 bears, and the 

associated need to be able to contact 

bear hunters specifically, and because 

refuge lands are situated in both 

Virginia and North Carolina, which 

have differing hunting regulations. 

Second, we are already considering 

spring turkey hunting for a future 

rulemaking. Third, we have determined 

that full week hunting, regardless of 

whether or not Sundays are included, is 

not compatible with other uses of the 

refuge and the refuge’s conservation 

purposes and mission. Fourth, we will 

engage in outreach efforts to share the 

information about parking areas with all 

refuge visitors, including wildlifedependent recreational users of the 

refuge. 

In response to the North Carolina 

Wildlife Resources Commission, we 

have made no changes to the rule. 

Atlantic brant is considered a variety of 

dark goose under our regulations, so it 

does not need to be explicitly listed in 

station-specific regulations where dark 

goose hunting is authorized. Thus, the 

proposed authorization of light and dark 

goose hunting at Mackay Island NWR 

already allows for the hunting of 

Atlantic brant. The suggested language 

about North Carolina State licenses and 

permits was not adopted because: (1) It 

would cause confusion as the regulatory 

provisions at 50 CFR 32.52(e) govern 

refuge lands in both North Carolina and 

Virginia (where North Carolina licenses 

and permits are not necessary); and (2) 

this requirement is already covered by 

the regulation requiring each person to 

secure and possess the required state 

license at 50 CFR 32.2 As a general 

matter, our regulations operate against 

the backdrop of state regulations as a 

default in this way, so if our regulations 

do not explicitly remove any given state 

requirement for a given hunt then 

hunters must still abide by those 

requirements in order to hunt on Refuge 

System lands. Nevertheless, the refuge 

will ensure this requirement is also 

included in the refuge hunt brochure to 

address the concerns of the 

Commission. 

In response to the Oregon Department 

of Fish and Wildlife’s request to remove 

‘‘merganser’’ from the species list in the 

regulatory language under William L. 

Finley NWR, we agree that this change 

will allow us to be more aligned with 

the State’s regulations and have made 

that change in this final rule. 

In response to the Arizona Game and 

Fish Department, we consider falconry 

a ‘‘special hunt’’ due to concerns 

regarding non-target take and so have 

made no changes to the rule concerning 

falconry. Service policy, as outlined in 

our Service manual at 605 FW 2.7.M. 

(Special Hunts), stipulates, ‘‘We will 

address special types of hunts, such as 

falconry, in the hunt section of the 

visitor service plan (VSP).’’ In other 

words, each refuge manager, when 

developing their step-down VSP (which 

would include a hunt plan, if 

appropriate) from their CCP, must first 

determine if hunting is compatible. 

Assuming it is found to be compatible, 

the refuge manager would next 

determine the conduct of the hunt, 

which might include the use of falconry. 

A refuge manager has discretion to 

restrict hunting and types of hunting, 

including falconry, if, for example, 

endangered or threatened species are 

present, the cumulative impacts of a 

type of hunt have not been analyzed or 

are not available, or if a type of special 

hunt is not compatible with the refuge 

purpose. Thus, this issue is decided 

individually on a refuge-by-refuge basis. 

The Service remains committed to 

opening hunting methods, including 

falconry and especially those methods 

allowed by State regulations, whenever 

it is possible to do so at a given refuge 

in a manner consistent with all 

purposes and objectives of the refuge, in 

the professional judgment of the refuge 

manager. Falconry has not been found 

compatible on Bill Williams River and 

Havasu NWRs. 

In response to the comment from the 

Arizona Game and Fish Department 

regarding aligning dog regulations on 

refuges to State regulations, we have 

made no changes to the rule. Even 

though State regulations may allow dogs 

during hunting activities, our general 

refuge regulations prohibit all 

domesticated animals at 50 CFR 

26.21(b) unless authorized by refugespecific regulations. While refuges 

adopt State hunting and fishing 

regulations to the extent practicable, 

they must also comply with the general 

refuge regulations. Therefore, in order to 

allow dogs during hunting activities, 

each refuge must authorize the use of 

dogs during hunting activities in their 

refuge-specific entries at 50 CFR part 32. 

As explained above, all uses on refuges 

must be found compatible and must not 

conflict with refuge objectives. Some 

refuges have found that the use of dogs 

during hunting activities must be 

limited or not authorized in order to 

avoid conflict with refuge objectives. 

In response to the comment from the 

Arizona Game and Fish Department 

regarding methods of take for javelina, 

we have changed the CFR to remove 

shotgun shooting shot as a legal method 

of take for javelina at Bill Williams 

River NWR in order to align with state 

regulations. 

In response to the Arizona Game and 

Fish Department’s concern regarding 

inconsistencies between refuges within 

the State, we have made no changes to 

the rule. Refuges within the same State 

often have different purposes, different 

endangered or threatened species, or 

different habitats, and therefore all 

hunting and fishing activities and 

regulations must be considered on a 

refuge-by-refuge basis as well. Where we 

do not align with State regulations, we 

make every attempt to align refuges 

within a State or geographic region to 

each other, but this is not always 

possible to ensure compatibility. 

In response to the Association of Fish 

and Wildlife Agencies, we made no 

changes to the rule. A key difference 

from other states is that refuges in 

Alaska are open to all hunting and 

fishing uses until closed under the 

Alaska National Interest Lands 

Conservation Act (ANILCA; 16 U.S.C. 

3111–3126). Where we have closed 

opportunities or limited the use in 

comparison to State regulations, we 

promulgate those regulations under 50 

CFR part 36. We work closely with the 

Alaska Department of Fish and Game 

when making these determinations and 

in assessing the continued need for 

regulations. 

Comment (4): We received comments 

from five Tribal governments on the 

rule. The Shawnee Tribe in Oklahoma 

and Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana both 

stated they did not have concerns about 

the proposed rule. The Iowa Tribe of 

Kansas and Nebraska expressed 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
48826 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

concerns about hunting of species with 

cultural significance at Loess Bluffs 

NWR and hunting of ‘‘nongame’’ 

species, both at Loess Bluffs NWR 

specifically and in the proposed rule 

generally. The Choctaw Nation of 

Oklahoma Historic Preservation 

Department requested consultation with 

respect to Choctaw NWR concerning 

cultural resource records and requested 

that we add an inadvertent discovery 

clause to our environmental assessment 

(EA) for the openings and expansions at 

the refuge. The Osage Nation Historic 

Preservation Office commented twice in 

order to: (1) Convey that the Nation had 

no concerns about the proposed 

activities at Loess Bluffs NWR, which 

are not included this final rule; and (2) 

request that the Service conduct a 

cultural resources survey at Sequoyah 

NWR before any construction begins on 

the two proposed new fishing ponds on 

the refuge. 

Our Response: The Service 

appreciates the support of our Tribal 

partners and is committed to working 

with our Tribal partners to address their 

concerns around potential cultural 

resource, socioeconomic, and ecological 

impacts from hunting and fishing 

activities in the Refuge System. 

In response to the Iowa Tribe of 

Kansas and Nebraska, we do not include 

the proposed openings and expansions 

at Loess Bluffs NWR in this rule. We 

will continue discussions with the Iowa 

Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska on how 

these acres and species may be 

considered for hunting openings and 

expansions in the future. As to the Iowa 

Tribe’s general concern about hunting of 

‘‘nongame’’ species in the rule overall, 

as explained in detail at Comment (8), 

below, before authorizing any given 

hunting and sport fishing activity on a 

refuge, we ensure the activity is 

compatible with the biological integrity 

and ecological health of all species on 

the refuge. Also, as explained at 

Comment (15), below, this applies as 

much to the hunting of predatory and 

even apex predator species, which some 

people consider ‘‘nongame’’ species, as 

it applies to other species that are more 

commonly considered target species for 

hunting or ‘‘game’’ species. 

In response to the Choctaw Nation, 

we have provided the requested 

information, including reports, site 

forms, and Choctaw NWR’s 

unanticipated discovery plan. We have 

also incorporated the suggested 

inadvertent discovery clause into the 

refuge’s EA document, as requested. 

In response to the Osage Nation, the 

Service is conducting a cultural 

resources survey and continuing 

discussions with the Osage Nation. The 

construction of the ponds and all 

proposed fishing activities dependent 

on the ponds are contingent on the 

results of the survey and of our 

discussions with the Osage Nation. 

Comment (5): We received two 

comments with concerns that the 

Service did not properly engage in 

government-to-government 

consultations with Tribes in developing 

the openings, expansions, and other 

changes in the proposed rule. 

Our Response: For all openings and 

expansions of hunting and sport fishing 

that the Service considers, the Service 

engages in government-to-government 

consultations with any and all 

potentially affected Tribal partners. As 

described in our response to Comment 

(1), above, the Service engages our 

Tribal partners early in the planning 

process along with our State and 

Territorial partners when developing 

proposed changes to hunting and sport 

fishing on Service lands and waters. 

We did not make any changes to the 

rule as a result of these comments. 

Comment (6): A couple commenters 

stated that the Service should not defer 

to State fish and wildlife agencies on 

certain hunting regulations and analysis 

of wildlife populations. 

Our Response: The Service works 

closely with State agency partners on all 

aspects of fish and wildlife conservation 

and management. With respect to rules 

and regulations governing hunting and 

sport fishing, the Service makes State 

regulations the default for any 

authorized hunting and sport fishing to 

maximize regulatory efficiency and 

clarity for the public, especially hunters 

and anglers who must abide by the rules 

and regulations. The Service also makes 

a concerted effort to align our rules and 

regulations with State rules and 

regulations to maximize this efficiency 

and minimize confusion, but it is not an 

abdication of our responsibility to 

regulate hunting on the Refuge System 

because we still determine in every case 

whether or not State hunting and fishing 

regulations are appropriate for the given 

refuge. Whenever necessary for refuge 

purposes, conservation goals, ecological 

health, or compatibility with other uses, 

the Service imposes alternate and/or 

additional rules and regulations to those 

of the relevant State agencies. With 

respect to wildlife monitoring and 

analysis of wildlife populations, the 

Service does its own monitoring and 

analyses and looks to these first. We do 

also draw on the work of State partners, 

both because it provides more data to 

inform our decisions and because it 

ensures we have information about fish 

and wildlife on a larger geographic 

scale, which is critical for many species 

with large ranges that extend far from 

Service lands and waters. The ultimate 

determinations governing all hunting 

and sport fishing activities on NWRS 

lands are made by the Service, and we 

fulfill our responsibilities to administer 

hunting and sport fishing programs in a 

manner compatible with both ecological 

health and integrity and other 

recreational uses of refuges. 

Comment (7): We received a number 

of comments arguing that we should 

have prepared an environmental impact 

statement (EIS) instead of stationspecific environmental analyses 

combined with a national cumulative 

impact report. Some of these comments 

also argued that specific stations should 

have prepared an EIS where we 

prepared an environmental assessment 

(EA) or an EA where we prepared a 

categorical exclusion. One of these 

commenters also stated that the use of 

lead ammunition or tackle presents an 

extraordinary circumstance that does 

not allow for the use of a Categorical 

Exclusion. Relatedly, a few commenters 

believed it improper for our NEPA 

documents to be draft rather than final 

documents during our comment period. 

Our Response: The Service disagrees 

with the comment that we should 

prepare an EIS before proposing 

expanded hunting and fishing 

opportunities on refuges or hatcheries. 

We completed individual EAs for, or 

applied categorical exclusions to, 89 

refuges and hatcheries, in compliance 

with NEPA, to evaluate the impacts of 

opening or expanding hunting and 

fishing opportunities on the stations 

through this rulemaking. These EAs and 

categorical exclusions underwent 

regional and national review to address 

and consider these actions from a local, 

regional, multi-State, and/or flyway 

perspective, and to consider the 

cumulative impacts from this larger 

geographical context. The 2021–2022 

cumulative impacts report concludes, 

after analyzing the collective impacts of 

all EAs and categorical exclusions 

prepared in connection with this rule, 

that the rule will not have significant 

impacts at the local, regional, or 

national level. The commenters who 

have raised these environmental 

analysis concerns have provided no 

additional information that would 

change this analysis or our conclusion. 

As discussed above, we annually 

conduct management activities on 

refuges and hatcheries that minimize or 

offset impacts of hunting and fishing on 

physical and cultural resources, 

including establishing designated areas 

for hunting; restricting levels of use; 

confining access and travel to 

designated locations; providing 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 48827 

education programs and materials for 

hunters, anglers, and other users; and 

conducting law enforcement activities. 

In this rulemaking, the Service is 

expanding opportunities for recreational 

hunting and fishing. Expanding 

opportunities does not necessarily result 

in increased impacts to refuge resources. 

We anticipate that for some refuges, 

these expansions will not result in 

changes in usage of the refuge. In other 

cases, these expansions may lead to 

some increase in use of refuges, but 

these changes will likely by minor. 

Opening of new refuges may attract 

people to the refuge, but these hunters 

and/or anglers were likely already 

participating elsewhere on State or other 

Federal lands. Overall, considering the 

decreasing trends in hunting and fishing 

generally, and decreasing trends of these 

activities on refuges specifically, we do 

not expect this final rule to have a 

significant impact on the environment. 

As noted in our cumulative impacts 

report, hunter participation trends have 

been generally declining, some refuges 

attract a very small number of 

participants, and often participation 

rates decline over the course of a season. 

Finally, a Federal court found that 

this approach, using a bottom-up 

analysis to assess the cumulative impact 

of increased hunting and fishing across 

the entire Refuge System, was an 

appropriate way for the Service to 

analyze the impacts of the rule in 

compliance with NEPA (see Fund for 

Animals v. Hall, 777 F. Supp. 2d 92, 105 

(D.D.C. 2011)). We disagree with the one 

commenter who sought to distinguish 

this rulemaking from that case on the 

basis that (1) there were multiple 

rulemakings before the court, and (2) 

this rule is larger than those rules were 

in terms of the number of openings and 

expansions. These differences do not 

matter to the court’s conclusion that 

analysis of cumulative impacts through 

a cumulative impacts report is 

appropriate. First, the court reached a 

conclusion about what needs to be 

analyzed for each individual 

rulemaking, even though the same 

challenge was brought against multiple 

rulemakings. Second, the court could 

have, but did not, set any limit on the 

number of openings and expansions the 

cumulative impacts report could cover. 

The court likely did not do so because 

a rule with more openings and 

expansions will simply have more EAs 

and categorical exclusions in order to 

cover each station, and the cumulative 

impacts report will correspondingly 

consider a larger number of potential 

cumulative impacts as thoroughly as in 

any other iteration of this annual rule. 

We also disagree with one 

commenter’s contention that the use of 

lead ammunition or tackle presents an 

extraordinary circumstance that will not 

allow for the use of a categorical 

exclusion. This question is directly 

addressed by managers when they 

determine whether a categorical 

exclusion is appropriate for a given 

expansion to hunting and fishing on a 

refuge. Just as the level of lead 

introduced from hunting and sport 

fishing has been found unlikely to 

produce significant adverse impacts in 

all of our environmental assessments, it 

was not considered to have significant 

adverse impacts for those stations where 

an expansion to the hunting and/or 

fishing programs met the criteria for a 

categorical exclusion. Finally, as the use 

of lead ammunition and tackle has been 

allowed on refuges for decades in the 

ordinary course of operations, it cannot 

reasonably be considered an 

extraordinary circumstance for any 

station. 

A few commenters raised a separate 

but related concern that they believed it 

improper for our NEPA documents to be 

draft rather than final documents after 

the Federal Register published the 

proposed rule. These commenters 

misunderstand our rulemaking process. 

Our longstanding approach to this 

annual rulemaking is that we have the 

required public comment period for our 

NEPA documents and the required 

public comment period for our 

proposed rule run concurrently and end 

on the same date. The NEPA documents 

cannot be finalized without public 

comment, just as we cannot issue a 

Final Rule before the public has 

commented on our proposed rule. Not 

only is this approach compliant with all 

applicable laws and regulations but it 

also provides important advantages for 

public input. First, because we do create 

our draft NEPA documents before 

drafting the proposed rule, so that our 

environmental impact findings can 

inform the proposed rule, ending both 

public comment periods on the same 

date results in longer public comment 

periods for our NEPA documents. As an 

example, in this rulemaking cycle, 

instead of the 30 days we would 

otherwise typically provide for an EA, 

for the EA of Great Dismal Swamp NWR 

the public was given 88 days to provide 

comments. Second, with draft NEPA 

documents we are able to make changes 

to the EA that reflect changes made to 

the openings and expansions in the rule 

in response to public comment on the 

rule, and vice versa. It would be 

cumbersome, and potentially cause 

confusion for the public, to go through 

a process of revising finalized EAs to 

make these same changes. All of our 

EAs and other underlying planning 

documents will be finalized and made 

public alongside the Final Rule, the 

content of which they fully informed. 

In response to comments, we 

reviewed all EAs and categorical 

exclusions. Based on that review, we 

determined that the categorical 

exclusion for Necedah NWR may 

require further consideration, and we do 

not include the proposed expansions at 

Necedah NWR in this final rule. The 

Service disagrees with the assertion 

that, for any of the stations in this rule, 

we should have prepared an EIS instead 

of an EA or an EA instead of a 

categorical exclusion. We also disagree 

with an assertion that, for any of the 

stations in this rule, the analysis in the 

respective EA or categorical exclusion is 

inadequate under NEPA. 

We removed the proposed expansions 

at Necedah NWR from the rule, but 

because they would have been 

administrative expansions, this did not 

require revising any of the proposed 

regulatory changes for Necedah NWR. 

Thus, we did not make any changes to 

the regulatory provisions in this rule as 

a result of these comments. 

Comment (8): We received several 

comments that alleged the proposed 

rule is, or certain parts of the proposed 

rule are, a violation of the Service’s 

mandate to ensure that the biological 

integrity, diversity, and environmental 

health of the Refuge System are 

maintained for the benefit of present 

and future generations of Americans (16 

U.S.C 668dd(a)(4)(B)). These 

commenters also expressed concern 

about the health and genetic diversity of 

populations of the species being hunted. 

Our Response: We do not allow 

hunting on a refuge if it is found 

incompatible with that individual 

refuge’s purposes or with the mission of 

the Refuge System. Part of the mission 

of the Refuge System is to ensure that 

the biological integrity, diversity, and 

environmental health of the Refuge 

System are maintained for the benefit of 

present and future generations of 

Americans (16 U.S.C. 668dd(a)(4)(B)). 

Therefore, each Service station manager 

uses his or her ‘‘sound professional 

judgment’’ (see the definition of this 

term in the Service Manual at 603 FW 

2.6.U., available online at https://

www.fws.gov/policy/603fw2.html) in 

making these inherently complex 

management decisions to ensure that 

each proposed action complies with this 

mandate. Each manager incorporates 

field experience, knowledge of refuge 

resources, considerations of the refuge’s 

role within an ecosystem, applicable 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
48828 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

laws, and best available science in 

making these decisions. Service 

biologists and wildlife professionals, in 

consultation with the State, determine 

the optimal number of each game 

animal that should reside in an 

ecosystem and then establish hunt 

parameters (e.g., bag limits, sex ratios) 

based on those analyses. We carefully 

consider how a proposed hunt fits with 

individual refuge goals, objectives, and 

strategies before allowing the hunt. The 

new or expanded hunting and/or fishing 

opportunities in this rule are not 

expected to individually or collectively 

result in significant adverse direct, 

indirect, or cumulative impacts to 

hunted populations of migratory birds 

and resident wildlife, nonhunted 

populations of migratory birds and 

resident wildlife, endangered and 

threatened species, habitat and plant 

resources, or other natural resources. 

We analyzed these impacts not only in 

each refuge’s NEPA document and ESA 

Section 7 document, but also in the 

2021–2022 cumulative impacts report. 

The Service does not collect 

population data at the national level, 

but is able to use State population data 

when analyzing the impacts at 

individual stations or within a State. 

When determining the compatibility of 

an activity, Service policy (603 FW 2) 

directs station managers to utilize all 

available data in exercising their sound 

professional judgement in the decisionmaking process. 

We did not make any changes to the 

rule as a direct result of these 

comments. 

Comment (9): We received several 

comments that claimed the actions in 

the proposed rule would imperil 

threatened and endangered species. 

Some of these comments pointed to 

concerns regarding the Florida Panther 

NWR in particular. 

Our Response: In compliance with 

section 7 of the ESA, every station 

determined that their proposed actions 

either would have ‘‘no effect’’ or were 

‘‘not likely to adversely affect’’ 

endangered and threatened species or 

designated critical habitat present at 

that station. The Service determined 

that the proposed action was not likely 

to jeopardize any listed species, nor 

adversely modify its critical habitat; and 

that the proposed action was not likely 

to jeopardize any proposed or candidate 

species for listing as threatened or 

endangered. Furthermore, as described 

in our cumulative impacts report, 

because endangered and threatened 

species are usually highly localized, 

minor or negligible impacts on an 

endangered or threatened species at a 

local or even regional scale would likely 

have no cumulative impact on national 

populations of those species. Thus, 

considering all impacts cumulatively for 

each individual threatened or 

endangered species, it is unlikely there 

will be any adverse impacts on such 

species, their habitats, or their recovery 

from these openings and expansions of 

hunting and sport fishing. 

We do not allow hunting on a refuge 

if it is found incompatible with that 

individual refuge’s purposes or with the 

mission of the NWRS. In addition, the 

Service’s biological integrity, diversity, 

and environmental health (BIDEH) 

policy (601 FW 3) guides decisionmaking with respect to management of 

activities on refuges, including hunting. 

Service biologists and wildlife 

professionals, in consultation with the 

State, determine the optimal number of 

each game animal that should reside in 

an ecosystem and then establish hunt 

parameters (e.g., bag limits, sex ratios) 

based on those analyses. We carefully 

consider how a proposed hunt fits with 

individual refuge goals, objectives, and 

strategies before allowing the hunt. 

None of the known, estimated, or 

projected harvests of migratory game 

birds, upland game, or big game species 

in this rulemaking is expected to have 

significant adverse direct, indirect, or 

cumulative impacts to hunted 

populations, non-hunted wildlife, 

endangered or threatened species, plant 

or habitat resources, wildlife-dependent 

recreation, prescribed fire, air, soil, 

water, cultural resources, refuge 

facilities, solitude, or socio-economics. 

We analyze these impacts not only in 

each refuge’s NEPA document, but also 

in the 2021–2022 cumulative impacts 

report. 

While there may be some minor, 

localized, and temporary (short-term) 

impacts to endangered and threatened 

species as a result of hunting or fishing 

activities, every station ensured that 

these impacts were minimized and, in 

many cases, offset them through a 

variety of management activities. 

In response to the comments 

expressing concern specifically about 

Florida Panther NWR, the Service is 

opening three limited quota spring 

turkey hunts and fishing on a 19-acre 

pond on that refuge. Therefore, impacts 

on the endangered Florida panther 

(Puma (=Felis) concolor coryi) are 

expected to be negligible to minor due 

to the limited number of turkey hunting 

permits we will issue; the type, amount, 

and location of approved public access; 

and the general locations of all proposed 

project activities (e.g., highly disturbed 

areas impacted by human use before the 

refuge was established). As outlined in 

the environmental assessment (section B 

of the VSP), through the use of quota 

hunts, a sustainable harvest is expected. 

A limited wild turkey hunt may be held 

during three weekends of the Florida 

spring turkey season, and only one 

bearded turkey may be harvested 

seasonally by permitted hunters. The 

refuge hunt will adopt Florida State 

regulations at nearby State wildlife 

management areas, and also add refugespecific regulations to ensure 

compatibility. Up to 25 permits on two 

quota weekend hunts (i.e., 50 total 

permits) and up to 10 family groups 

(i.e., 20 total permits) on the third 

weekend hunt may be issued annually. 

However, Florida Panther NWR will 

monitor the turkey population and 

hunter access to allow for adaptive 

management in the number of permits 

issued annually. Also, no new roads or 

trails will be needed to accommodate 

hunting on the refuge. The use of 

existing roads and trails will 

accommodate turkey hunting. It is 

estimated that fewer than 70 hunters 

will access the refuge, and they will take 

fewer than 8 turkeys each season on the 

refuge. The local turkey population is 

expected to rebound seasonally, with no 

significant effects anticipated. 

Rangewide, this slight increase in take 

is not expected to have a cumulative 

effect on the species. 

In the ESA Section 7 analysis for 

Florida Panther NWR, we concluded, 

based on the best available science and 

professional judgment of refuge staff, 

that the hunting and fishing openings 

are not likely to adversely impact the 

Florida panther. We have described the 

turkey hunting activity above because it 

is the most likely source of any minor 

disturbances that occur for panthers on 

the refuge. In addition to the limits on 

turkey hunting detailed above, it is 

important to note that turkey is not a 

primary prey species for the Florida 

panther, so any temporary, minor 

change in the refuge’s turkey population 

should not affect panthers. Relatedly, 

even though panthers will sometimes 

prey on turkeys, because lead 

ammunition is prohibited for turkey 

hunting on the refuge there is no 

concern about lead exposure from 

panthers scavenging hunted turkeys or 

turkey gut piles. Well-managed hunt 

programs and other outdoor recreational 

activities do not conflict with the 

Service’s ability to recover the Florida 

panther or other Federal trust species on 

Florida Panther NWR. An example of 

this lack of conflict is evidenced by the 

fact that since conservation and 

especially genetic diversification efforts 

began in the 1990s the panther 

population has continued to increase 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 48829 

throughout southwest Florida even 

though hunting and other forms of 

outdoor recreation have continued to 

occur as traditional uses across millions 

of acres, including on both private and 

public lands. Panthers are one of the 

most adaptable mammals in the 

Northern Hemisphere and have home 

ranges in close proximity to human 

occupied areas in southwest Florida 

(e.g., Golden Gate Estates). The 

proposed quota turkey hunts are 

anticipated to only have minimal to 

moderate short-term effects on the 

Florida panther and other Federal trust 

species. Panther activity may be 

temporarily altered as a result of human 

activity. However, any alteration of 

panther activity is expected to be 

insignificant. 

We did not make any changes to the 

rule as a result of these comments. 

Comment (10): Many commenters 

expressed concern over the use of lead 

ammunition and/or lead fishing tackle 

on refuges and hatcheries. Some 

commenters objected to these potential 

sources of lead at a particular refuge or 

hatchery, and many individual 

commenters and multiple organizations 

were concerned about lead nationwide 

and referred us to various forms of 

evidence on the subject of lead impacts 

to human and ecological health. Many 

of these commenters were supportive of 

the increased access the Service 

proposed, but requested the Service not 

allow lead ammunition or tackle. Some 

commenters expressed specific concerns 

about raptor species, including the bald 

eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus). One 

commenter stated that the use of lead 

ammunition would violate the Bald and 

Golden Eagle Protection Act of 1940 (16 

U.S.C. 668–668c) and the Migratory Bird 

Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703 et seq.). 

Our Response: The Service 

acknowledges concerns from 

commenters about the issue of 

bioavailability of lead in the 

environment and is aware of the 

potential impacts of lead on fish and 

wildlife. See, for example, Nancy 

Golden, et al., ‘‘A Review and 

Assessment of Spent Lead Ammunition 

and Its Exposure and Effects to 

Scavenging Birds in the United States,’’ 

which is available online at https://

www.fws.gov/midwest/refuges/ 

Review%20and%20Assessment%20

paper.pdf. Accordingly, the Service 

pays special attention to species 

susceptible to lead uptake and to 

sources of lead that could impact 

ecological and human health. 

Historically, the principal cause of 

lead poisoning in waterfowl was the 

high densities of lead shot in wetland 

sediments associated with migratory 

bird hunting activities (Kendall et al. 

1996). In 1991, as a result of high bird 

mortality, the Service instituted a 

nationwide ban on the use of lead shot 

for hunting waterfowl and coots (see 50 

CFR 32.2(k)). 

Yet, there remains some concern 

about the bioavailability of spent lead 

ammunition (bullets) and fishing tackle 

on the environment, the health of fish 

and wildlife, and human health. The 

Service is aware of fish and wildlife 

species, including endangered and 

threatened species, that are susceptible 

to biomagnification of lead from their 

food sources or the food eaten by their 

food sources. There is also evidence that 

some species are susceptible to direct 

ingestion of lead ammunition or tackle 

due to their foraging behaviors. For 

example, the Service recognizes that 

ingested lead fishing tackle has been 

found to be a leading cause of mortality 

in adult common loons (Grade, T. et al., 

2017, in Population-level effects of lead 

fishing tackle on common loons. The 

Journal of Wildlife Management 82(1): 

pp. 155–164). The impacts of lead on 

human health and safety have been a 

focus of several scientific studies. We 

are familiar with studies that have 

found the ingestion of animals 

harvested via the use of lead 

ammunition increased levels of lead in 

the human body (e.g., Buenz, E. (2016). 

Lead exposure through eating wild 

game. American Journal of Medicine, 

128: p. 458). 

While there are concerns of lead’s 

general potential for ecological health 

impacts, we disagree with commenters 

that the use of lead ammunition in 

connection with the particular openings 

and expansions of hunting and fishing 

on the refuges and hatchery in this 

rulemaking will significantly impact the 

environment or is likely to harm 

endangered or threatened species. Each 

refuge and hatchery carefully evaluated 

possible impacts to the environment, 

including to endangered and threatened 

species, as part of the NEPA process. As 

discussed above, on stations where lead 

ammunition or tackle is allowed, we 

found that the number of hunters and 

anglers using lead ammunition or tackle 

would result in no more than a 

negligible increase of lead in the 

environment. As a result, we found 

there would be no significant impact to 

the environment from the use of lead 

ammunition and/or tackle for the station 

In addition, every refuge and hatchery 

looked at the impacts of these new or 

expanded hunting and fishing 

opportunities, including the allowance 

or prohibition of lead, on endangered 

and threatened species in compliance 

with requirements under section 7 of 

the ESA. The ESA requires Federal 

agencies to ensure that the actions they 

carry out, fund, or authorize do not 

jeopardize the continued existence of 

endangered or threatened species (listed 

species). For each station, the Service 

determined that the proposed action 

was not likely to adversely affect any 

listed species, nor jeopardize any listed 

species. We also determined that the 

proposed action was not likely to 

jeopardize any proposed or candidate 

species for listing as threatened or 

endangered. 

We also disagree with the commenter 

who asserted that the use of lead 

ammunition will violate the Bald and 

Golden Eagle Protection Act of 1940 

(Eagle Act) and the Migratory Bird 

Treaty Act (MBTA). The potential for 

lead to threaten any species, including 

raptors in general and eagles in 

particular because of their protection 

under these statutes, is a key part of the 

NEPA and ESA analyses that are 

conducted before the authorization of 

any hunting or fishing on a refuge for 

which lead ammunition or lead fishing 

tackle is allowed. This ensures hunting 

and fishing activities are compliant with 

these statutes. In fact, the MBTA 

explicitly authorizes the Secretary of the 

Interior to create regulations governing 

take for all of the migratory bird species 

covered by the treaty, including eagles 

(16 U.S.C. 704(a)). The promulgation of 

the hunting regulations in this rule 

under the authority of the Secretary of 

the Interior means that the Secretary has 

determined these hunting activities are 

compatible with the terms of the MBTA 

and with the international conventions 

that are the basis for the MBTA. Thus, 

the hunting regulations in this rule do 

not violate the MBTA or the associated 

treaties. 

The Service continues to educate 

hunters and anglers on the impacts of 

lead on the environment, and 

particularly on human health and safety 

concerns of ingesting animals harvested 

with lead ammunition. We always 

encourage hunters and anglers to 

voluntarily use non-lead ammunition 

and tackle for all harvest activities. For 

both ammunition and tackle, 

alternatives to lead are becoming more 

widely available and used by hunters 

and anglers; and despite the traditional 

view that non-lead ammunition and 

tackle is more expensive, the costs have 

become comparable. 

We share a strong partnership with 

the States in managing wildlife and 

therefore, when determining whether to 

prohibit the use of lead ammunition or 

tackle, we have traditionally deferred to 

State regulations. For example, in 

California, the use of lead ammunition 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
48830 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

is prohibited statewide, including on all 

Service lands, largely in response to the 

adverse impacts of lead on the 

endangered California condor 

(Gymnogyps californianus). We will 

continue to research this issue and plan 

to continue engaging with States and 

other partners to promote the use of 

non-lead ammunition and tackle. 

Although there is not a Service-wide 

ban on lead ammunition for nonmigratory bird hunting activities or on 

lead fishing tackle, the Service has taken 

specific steps to limit the use of lead in 

hunting and fishing activities on refuges 

and hatcheries. Currently, under 50 CFR 

32.2(k), all refuges and hatcheries may 

require the use of nontoxic ammunition 

for all hunting other than deer and 

turkey hunting through brochures, 

signage, and other forms of public 

notification. For deer hunting, turkey 

hunting, and fishing, refuges and 

hatcheries must promulgate stationspecific regulations. Notably, we 

continue, in these annual rulemakings 

updating the regulations for hunting and 

fishing on NWRs and NFHs, to phase 

out the use of lead on Service lands and 

waters. Currently, including the 

regulatory changes in this rule, 82 of the 

434 stations open to hunting restrict 

lead ammunition use for deer and/or 

turkey hunting, and 23 of the 378 

stations open to fishing restrict lead 

tackle for fishing. In this rule, 17 

stations are putting forward restrictions 

on the use of lead ammunition and/or 

lead fishing tackle. However, we 

acknowledge that with the increased 

access provided to hunters and anglers 

on Service lands and waters in the past 

few years, despite the Service’s efforts to 

mitigate the impact of lead on the 

environment, the increase in number of 

hunting and angling opportunities has 

outpaced the increase in number of 

opportunities subject to lead use 

restrictions. 

Based on the recent historic 

expansions in our hunting and fishing 

programs, and per our policy, the 

Service will continue to evaluate lead 

use in hunting and fishing on Service 

lands and waters. 

Comment (11): A few commenters 

expressed opposition to a prohibition on 

lead ammunition for hunting. The 

arguments these commenters put 

forward were that hunters on a given 

refuge would not take enough shots to 

create dangerous levels of lead and that 

reducing lead is a positive move but 

regulations prohibiting lead might result 

in anger and backlash. 

Our Response: We recognize that lead 

in the environment carries risks for fish 

and wildlife, which is why lead 

ammunition is not allowed for 

waterfowl hunting on any refuge and 

lead ammunition is prohibited on 

refuges in California in order to protect 

the California condor. However, most 

hunting and sport fishing activities do 

not introduce enough lead into the 

environment to pose a significant 

danger to any species or to make it 

likely listed species will experience 

adverse effects. Accordingly, lead 

ammunition and tackle are currently 

allowed where our NEPA and ESA 

analyses determine the activity is not 

likely to result in dangerous levels of 

lead exposure. Even for the hunting and 

sport fishing opportunities where we 

have determined lead will be allowed, 

we educate hunters about lead and 

encourage the use of nontoxic 

alternatives. This education and 

encouragement, coupled with the 

declining price of nontoxic alternatives 

and others trends, have allowed us to 

introduce lead prohibitions for all or 

some hunting and sport fishing 

activities, in addition to waterfowl 

hunting, on many of our refuges without 

significant opposition from our State 

partners, local hunters and anglers, or 

other stakeholders. This includes 

provisions prohibiting the use of lead 

ammunition or lead fishing tackle for 17 

different stations in this rule. 

Comment (12): We received several 

comments concerned with impacts of 

this rule on migratory birds. A few of 

these commenters were particularly 

concerned about those refuges whose 

purposes include ‘‘inviolate sanctuaries 

for migratory birds’’ or that have been 

designated as ‘‘important bird areas’’ 

(IBAs) by the Audubon Society. 

Our Response: All of the migratory 

bird hunting opportunities on Service 

lands are done within the frameworks 

set by the Service in compliance with 

the MBTA. These frameworks set season 

lengths, bag limits, and areas for 

migratory game bird hunting and ensure 

that hunting will not have adverse 

impacts on the populations of the 

various species of migratory birds 

through rigorous biological monitoring, 

information collection, and data review. 

To determine the appropriate 

frameworks for each species, the Service 

considers factors such as population 

size and trend, geographical 

distribution, annual breeding effort, the 

condition of breeding and wintering 

habitat, the number of hunters, and the 

anticipated harvest. After frameworks 

are established for season lengths, bag 

limits, and areas for migratory game bird 

hunting, States may select season dates, 

bag limits, and other regulatory options 

for the hunting seasons. States may 

always be more restrictive in their 

selections than the Federal frameworks, 

but never more permissive. For more 

information on this process, see the 

2021–2022 cumulative impacts report at 

http://www.regulations.gov under 

Docket No. FWS–HQ–NWRS–2021– 

0027. 

Our analysis in the cumulative 

impacts report of the expansion of 

hunting of migratory game birds on 

Service lands through this rule indicates 

that the proposed harvests, or 

intentional take, of each species will 

constitute a negligible component of 

both national and flyway harvest. 

Station-specific migratory game bird 

hunting regulations are established 

within the above discussed frameworks 

and in compliance with NEPA to ensure 

that adverse impacts will not 

accumulate over time; thus, the harvest 

is expected to have a negligible impact 

on migratory bird resources within 

NWRs. 

In addition to all hunting for 

migratory game birds being set within 

this national framework, and as with all 

species hunted in the Refuge System, 

each station must also ensure that the 

hunting or fishing opportunity is 

compatible, or in the case of NFHs not 

detrimental, with the purpose of that 

station and complies with applicable 

provisions of NEPA, ESA, and other 

applicable laws and policy before 

opening or expanding migratory bird 

hunting. This thorough process ensures 

that the Service has analyzed the 

potential impacts of the proposed 

hunting or fishing opportunity and 

determined that the opportunity would 

not have a significant impact on any 

migratory bird species, not just the 

targeted species. 

Where inviolate sanctuaries occur on 

NWRs, all uses must be evaluated for 

appropriateness and, if necessary, 

compatibility. The language within the 

Administration Act only applies to 

those lands with the designation of 

inviolate sanctuary for migratory birds. 

With this in mind, other uses (e.g., big 

game hunting, hiking, auto tours, etc.) 

can be allowed as long as they are 

compatible. When determining 

compatibility, the Service must consider 

the high bar that the inviolate sanctuary 

designation established. 

In addition, refuges with this 

designation will have to evaluate the 

influence of uses occurring or 

potentially occurring on other portions 

of the refuge and how they may affect 

the inviolate sanctuaries. Although this 

designation sets a higher level of 

consideration, it is clear that Congress 

intended for these areas to be 

considered for use when compatible. In 

the case of IBA designations from the 

Audubon Society, while several refuges 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 48831 

in the rule do have these IBA 

designations, these designations do not 

place any additional legal restrictions 

related to migratory birds on 

management of these refuges. As 

discussed previously, each station goes 

through several different processes, 

including compatibility determinations, 

NEPA compliance, and ESA 

compliance, to ensure that the hunting 

and fishing opportunities proposed 

would have no significant impacts on 

populations of migratory birds in 

compliance with the Service’s mandates 

under the MBTA, Administration Act, 

or other applicable laws and policies. 

We did not make any changes to the 

rule as a result of these comments. 

Comment (13): A number of 

commenters mentioned climate change, 

as a general environmental issue, as 

something we should consider in 

developing this rule. A few of these 

commenters specifically argued that we 

did not fully consider the impacts this 

rule could have in conjunction with the 

separate impacts of climate change on 

fish, wildlife, and other refuge 

resources. One comment invoked 

Executive Order 14008, which calls on 

government agencies to ‘‘combat the 

climate crisis’’ through conservation 

and other measures. 

Our Response: The Service recognizes 

climate change as a threat to human and 

ecological health and operates in 

compliance with Executive Order (E.O.) 

14008. The conservation goals and 

operations of the Refuge System are 

well-aligned with E.O. 14008, and this 

rule in particular is consistent with the 

Executive order. 

We consider climate change factors in 

this rule, as with all actions on Service 

lands. Where appropriate, the effects of 

climate change on individual species 

and refuge natural resources are 

considered throughout the individual 

NEPA documents, individual ESA 

section 7 documents, and cumulative 

impacts report. If such analysis 

determined that a given hunting or sport 

fishing activity, in conjunction with the 

effects of climate change, would result 

in adverse impacts to protected species 

or biological integrity, then the refuge 

manager would not authorize the 

activity. 

In addition to considering the impacts 

of climate change on the management of 

wildlife, we respond to a changing 

climate through the annual process of 

setting hunting and fishing seasons. 

Hunting seasons are based on biological 

monitoring and coordination with our 

State partners. In some circumstances, 

seasons may be adjusted based on 

predicted harvest rates, population 

levels, seasonal factors, and other 

assessments. While this process is not 

necessarily climate-based, over time, as 

the variables mentioned above change, 

we respond by altering regulations 

accordingly. These regulatory changes 

are only incremental changes that build 

on previous changes. Any major 

changes in station or environmental 

conditions, such as an unsustainable 

decrease in a species’ population or 

sizeable increases in refuge or hatchery 

acreage or public uses, would trigger 

additional planning, NEPA review, 

compatibility determinations, and ESA 

section 7 evaluation processes. The 

Service may reevaluate compatibility at 

any time if conditions warrant. These 

required planning and management 

processes ensure that adverse impacts 

will not accumulate over time. 

We did not make any changes to the 

rule as a result of these comments. 

Comment (14): We also received 

various comments expressing the 

sentiment that ‘‘trophy hunting,’’ 

baiting, and hounding of predators are 

‘‘unsportsmanlike’’ activities and 

inappropriate uses on Service lands. 

Some comments also expressed a desire 

for the Service to enact a ban on 

‘‘hunting contests.’’ 

Our Response: The Service does not 

attempt to define or authorize ‘‘trophy 

hunting’’ in any of our laws, regulations, 

or policies concerning hunting. We 

follow State hunting and fishing 

regulations (except for where we 

determine it is necessary to be more 

restrictive on individual stations), 

including State regulations concerning 

responsible hunting, or prohibitions on 

wanton waste (defined as ‘‘to 

intentionally waste something 

negligently or inappropriately’’). 

We apply this same stance on alleged 

‘‘hunting contests.’’ The Service follows 

State bag limits for species open to 

hunting, except where we may restrict 

bag limits in order to meet compatibility 

requirements for the activity. In States 

where excessive take of particular 

species is encouraged for sport only, the 

Service would restrict bag limits. We 

only allow hunting on refuges and 

hatcheries when we have determined 

that the opportunity is sustainable and 

compatible. For example, ‘‘contests’’ 

targeting non-game species where there 

are no bag limits under State 

regulations, including species classified 

as ‘‘predators’’ under State laws, are 

permitted in Oregon and Idaho. 

However, the Service would not issue 

permits for coyote hunting ‘‘contests’’ at 

refuges in these States for several 

reasons, including unacceptable 

disturbance impacts to other game and 

nongame species, conflicts with other 

user groups, and conflicts with the 

Service’s BIDEH policy. 

Under 50 CFR 26.21(b), the use of 

dogs for hounding is prohibited on 

refuges unless authorized by stationspecific regulations, and many refuges 

only authorize the use of dogs for 

retrieval of migratory birds, upland 

game birds, and small game. Most 

refuges that allow dogs require that the 

dogs are under the immediate control of 

the hunter at all times or leashed, unless 

actively retrieving an animal. Most of 

the commenters who expressed 

opposition to the use of dogs referenced 

Silvio O. Conte NWR specifically. The 

use of dogs will still be allowed at Silvio 

O. Conte NWR for hunting of waterfowl 

and game species in accordance with 

state regulations. However, because of 

the concerns of commenters we will 

require hunters who wish to use more 

than two dogs at a time for hunting of 

any species anywhere on the refuge to 

obtain a special use permit and on the 

Putney Mountain Unit specifically we 

are only allowing the use of dogs for 

migratory bird and grouse hunting. 

In States where baiting is allowed, 

most refuges have elected to be more 

restrictive and not support this method 

of hunting. Furthermore, most of the 

commenters who expressed opposition 

to baiting referenced Silvio O. Conte 

NWR specifically, but that refuge does 

not allow baiting. 

We made changes to the rule for the 

use of dogs at Silvio O. Conte NWR as 

described above, but made no other 

changes to the rule as a result of these 

comments. 

Comment (15): We received a few 

comments expressing concern about 

opening and expanding opportunities 

for hunting of predator species. Some 

commenters alleged that we did not give 

enough consideration to the impacts of 

those proposed hunts, and that the 

hunts conflicted with the Service’s 

mandates under the Administration Act 

to maintain the biological integrity, 

diversity, and environmental health of 

the refuge. One of these commenters 

also brought our attention to the 

omission of coyote from species lists for 

three refuges in our cumulative impacts 

report. 

Our Response: Refuge managers 

consider predator management 

decisions on a case-by-case basis. As 

with all species, a refuge manager makes 

a decision about managing predator 

populations, which are included in the 

category of resident wildlife, including 

allowing predatory species to be hunted, 

only after careful examination to ensure 

the action would comply with relevant 

laws, policies, and directives. The 

Administration Act, as amended, directs 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
48832 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

the Service to manage refuges for 

‘‘biological integrity, diversity, and 

environmental health.’’ Predators play a 

critical role in the integrity, diversity, 

and overall health of ecosystems, so 

before allowing predators to be hunted, 

a refuge manager must ensure that these 

actions do not threaten the integrity, 

diversity, or health of the refuge 

ecosystem. The manager must also 

determine that the action is compatible 

with refuge purposes and the mission of 

the Refuge System, and in keeping with 

the refuge’s CCP and other step-down 

plans. In addition, the refuge manager 

analyzes the impacts of the actions on 

the environment through the NEPA 

process and section 7 of the ESA. 

Therefore, a refuge manager must take 

many steps to ensure that any 

opportunity for hunting predators on a 

refuge meets the Service’s applicable 

laws and policies. 

For example, we received one 

comment advocating for the hunting of 

predator species during established 

State seasons at Sherburne NWR in 

Minnesota. The refuge manager at 

Sherburne NWR had already considered 

adding such hunts, but determined that 

the seasons and hours of predator 

hunting in Minnesota would conflict 

with the months of the year and hours 

of the day in which the refuge is open 

to the public. Sherburne NWR observes 

a sanctuary period from March 1 

through August 31, and is only open 

during daylight hours. Predator hunting 

in Minnesota is primarily at night and 

primarily during the summer months. 

We will not be able to grant the request 

of this commenter because it is not 

compatible with the conservation 

purposes and practices of Sherburne 

NWR. 

The Administration Act, as amended, 

also mandates that regulations allowing 

hunting or fishing of fish and resident 

wildlife within the Refuge System shall 

be, to the extent practicable, consistent 

with State fish and wildlife laws, 

regulations, and management plans (16 

U.S.C. 668dd(m)). Therefore, all the 

opportunities for hunting predators in 

this rule that are intended to bring 

greater consistency with State fish and 

wildlife laws, regulations, and 

management plans are part of realizing 

the Service’s mission. Moreover, these, 

as with all predator hunting 

determinations and all hunting and 

fishing determinations, were only made 

after careful consideration by the refuge 

manager to ensure that such actions 

would not threaten the integrity, 

diversity, and overall health of the 

ecosystem and were compatible with 

both the purpose of the refuge and the 

mission of the Refuge System. For 

NFHs, the hatchery manager made the 

decision that such opportunities were 

not detrimental to the propagation of 

fish, wildlife, or aquatic species (50 CFR 

70.1). Finally, both the NEPA process 

and the rulemaking process provide 

opportunities for the public to provide 

comments and any additional 

information on impacts of our actions. 

We considered the additional 

information provided from the public 

on this issue during these public 

comment periods and determined that 

they did not affect our initial 

determinations that these small and 

minor opportunities for hunting 

predators on specific refuges or 

hatcheries will have no more than 

minor impacts on the population health 

of these species or other wildlife at the 

local, regional, or national level. 

Lastly, one commenter noted that for 

a particular predator (coyote) the 

cumulative impacts report omitted 

proposed hunts from the narrative 

descriptions of the openings and 

expansions for three stations: Bogue 

Chitto NWR, Loess Bluffs NWR, and 

Malheur NWR. Those typographical 

errors have been corrected for Bogue 

Chitto NWR and Malheur NWR. In the 

case of Loess Bluffs NWR, all hunting 

openings and expansions described in 

the May 4, 2021, proposed rule are not 

included in this final rule, in 

recognition of concerns expressed by 

the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska. 

We have changed the cumulative 

impacts report as described, but did not 

make any changes to the rule as a result 

of these comments. 

Comment (16): One commenter stated 

that the Service did not properly 

consider the impacts of allowing beaver 

hunting because beaver dams can alter 

water flow in ways that provide habitats 

for other species. 

Our Response: This rule includes the 

opening or expansion of beaver hunting 

on multiple refuges, both as a target 

species and as incidental take during 

hunts for other species. For each of 

these refuges individually, the NEPA 

analysis and ESA section 7 analysis 

consider the potential impacts of 

allowing hunters to take beaver. As with 

all target species, the refuge manager 

must ensure that authorizing hunting 

does not threaten the integrity, 

diversity, or health of the refuge 

ecosystem. This includes effects on 

other species from the loss of 

individuals from the given target 

species, which encompasses effects 

from the absence of beaver dams that 

change water flows just as it 

encompasses effects from reduced 

predation, reduced foraging pressure, 

and other mechanisms that can impact 

non-target species. The manager must 

also determine that the action is 

compatible with refuge purposes and 

the mission of the Refuge System, and 

in keeping with the refuge’s CCP and 

other step-down plans. As a result, the 

beaver hunts in this rule do not present 

a threat to ecosystem health or other 

species either directly from the take of 

individual beavers or indirectly through 

the effect of beaver hunting on the 

number and strength of beaver dams. In 

fact, on many refuges beavers are 

already managed by refuge staff to 

prevent habitat damage caused by 

beaver dams, which can have negative 

impacts on vegetation, moist soil units, 

and other refuge resources. Finally, the 

Service does not anticipate substantial 

take of beavers on any particular refuge 

or cumulatively. 

We did not make any changes to the 

rule as a result of this comment. 

Comment (17): We received several 

comments that expressed concern over 

some aspect of public safety. 

Commenters raised concerns about 

openings or expansions of hunting at 

certain stations based on the conflicts 

with other visitors to the refuge or the 

need for adequate funding and/or 

staffing. In particular, the most common 

specific concern was that the increase in 

openings and expansions of hunting and 

sport fishing would overwhelm existing 

law enforcement capacity. These 

concerns were expressed for multiple 

specific stations and as a nationwide 

issue. 

Our Response: The Service considers 

public safety to be a top priority. In 

order to open or expand hunting or 

sport fishing on a refuge, we must find 

the activity compatible. In order to find 

an activity compatible, the activity must 

not ‘‘materially interfere with or detract 

from’’ public safety, wildlife resources, 

or the purpose of the refuge (see the 

Service Manual at 603 FW 2.6.B., 

available online at https://www.fws.gov/ 

policy/603fw2.html). For this 

rulemaking, we specifically analyzed 

the possible impacts of the changes to 

hunting programs at each refuge and 

hatchery on visitor use and experience, 

including public safety concerns and 

possible conflicts between user groups. 

Hunting of resident wildlife on 

refuges generally occurs consistent with 

State regulations, which are designed to 

protect public safety. Refuges may also 

develop refuge-specific hunting 

regulations that are more restrictive than 

State regulations in order to help meet 

specific refuge objectives, including 

protecting public safety. Refuges use 

many techniques to ensure the safety of 

hunters and visitors, such as requiring 

hunters to wear blaze orange, 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 48833 

controlling the density of hunters, 

limiting where firearms can be 

discharged (e.g., not across roads, away 

from buildings), and using time and 

space zoning to limit conflicts between 

hunters and other visitors. It is worth 

noting that injuries and deaths related to 

hunting are extremely rare, both for 

hunters themselves and for the 

nonhunting public. 

Public comment is important in 

ensuring we have considered all 

available information and concerns 

before making a final decision on a 

proposed opening or expansion. For all 

of the proposed openings or expansions 

of hunting in our May 4, 2021, proposed 

rule (86 FR 23794), we have determined 

that there are sufficient protections in 

place as part of the hunt program at that 

station to ensure public safety. For more 

information on the Service’s efforts to 

ensure public safety at a particular 

station, please see that station’s hunt 

plan, compatibility determination, and 

associated NEPA analysis. 

Regarding concerns about lack of 

funding or staffing, Service policy (603 

FW 2.12.A.(7)) requires station 

managers to determine that adequate 

resources (including personnel, which 

in turn includes law enforcement) exist 

or can be provided by the Service or a 

partner to properly develop, operate, 

and maintain the use in a way that will 

not materially interfere with or detract 

from fulfillment of the refuge purpose(s) 

and the Service’s mission. If resources 

are lacking for establishment or 

continuation of wildlife-dependent 

recreational uses, the refuge manager 

will make reasonable efforts to obtain 

additional resources or outside 

assistance from States, other public 

agencies, local communities, and/or 

private and nonprofit groups before 

determining that the use is not 

compatible. When Service law 

enforcement resources are lacking, we 

are often able to rely upon State fish and 

game law-enforcement capacity to assist 

in enforcement of hunting and fishing 

regulations. One commenter noted that 

our hunt plan document for the 

Potomac River NWR Complex 

specifically states that State law 

enforcement will take on the role of 

enforcing hunting and fishing 

regulations and asked that the hunt plan 

provide further detail. Specific 

information on how we responded to 

this comment letter’s request for more 

detail on particular hunting and fishing 

opportunities at Potomac River NWR 

Complex can be found in that station’s 

final hunt plan, compatibility 

determination, and finding of no 

significant impact documents. 

For all 89 stations opening or 

expanding hunting and/or sport fishing 

in this rule, we have determined that we 

have adequate resources, including law 

enforcement personnel, to develop, 

operate, and maintain the hunt 

programs. 

We did not make any additional 

changes to the rule as a result of these 

comments. 

Comment (18): We received 

additional comments supporting the 

requests made by the Arizona Game and 

Fish Department to allow falconry on 

refuges within the State and to align dog 

regulations on refuges to State 

regulations. They also echoed the 

concern from the State about 

inconsistencies on refuges within the 

State. 

Our Response: As described in our 

response to Comment (3), above, we 

determine both whether falconry and 

the use of dogs for hunting is 

compatible on a refuge-by-refuge basis. 

We also determine refuge regulations on 

a refuge-by-refuge basis, and while we 

strive to achieve consistency on refuges 

within a State, different regulations are 

sometimes required. This allows us to 

ensure that these uses are compatible 

with the purposes of the refuge. 

We did not make any changes to the 

rule as a direct result of these 

comments. 

Comment (19): We received two 

comments about reduced hunt quality 

from hunter overcrowding at particular 

refuges. One comment expressed 

concerns that the changes, especially 

removing the lottery limitation on 

waterfowl hunting, at Sam D. Hamilton 

Noxubee NWR would lead to hunter 

overcrowding. The other comment 

expressed concerns that additional gun 

hunting for deer at Sherburne NWR 

would reduce the quality of the current 

deer bow hunting season on that refuge. 

Our Response: For Sam D. Hamilton 

Noxubee NWR, the Service does not 

conclude removing the lottery draw will 

impact the quality of the waterfowl hunt 

or lead to overcrowding, as more areas 

will be open to hunting resulting in 

reduced overcrowding. As outlined in 

the NEPA and planning documents for 

the change, the Service will eliminate 

the lottery waterfowl hunting on the 

refuge to reduce the application process 

for the users and the associated 

administrative burden for the refuge. 

The hunt program was designed to be 

supportive of hunters of diverse 

backgrounds. Further, the Service 

designed the hunt program on the refuge 

to better align, where appropriate and 

possible, with State regulations. 

For Sherburne NWR, the Service 

recognizes that the new muzzleloader 

deer hunting as proposed may create 

problems for the existing bow hunting 

season. Accordingly, we are modifying 

the new muzzleloader hunting: instead 

of opening muzzleloader hunting in 

Areas A, B, and C we will only open it 

in Area A. The muzzleloader hunting 

will otherwise operate as proposed. This 

change ensures that Area B will only be 

open to bow hunters after the existing 

9-day gun season ends. Area C will 

remain closed to all hunting following 

the 9-day gun season. 

We changed the hunting at Sherburne 

NWR from the proposed rule as 

described, but did not make any 

changes to the regulatory text of the rule 

or any other changes as a direct result 

of these comments. 

Comment (20): A couple of 

commenters stated that hunting and 

sport fishing activities could introduce 

invasive species to refuge lands or 

waters. 

Our Response: We are aware of the 

ecological threats posed by invasive 

species and make it a part of all Service 

actions to limit the spread of invasive 

species. Many of the refuges opening or 

expanding hunting and sport fishing 

under this rule have both mitigation 

measures for invasive species in 

connection with the hunting and sport 

fishing activities and separate measures 

taken on refuge lands and waters to 

limit invasive species. 

We also explicitly consider invasive 

species in our analyses of proposed 

hunting and sport fishing openings and 

expansions. As one of the two 

commenters noted, the cumulative 

impacts report directly addresses 

concerns about invasive species. We 

conclude there that invasive species do 

not present a significant risk, at 

individual refuges or cumulatively, 

because the participants in activities 

that present the risk of introducing 

invasive species generally come to the 

refuge from within the local area and are 

few in number. 

Moreover, in some cases and as seen 

in this rule, we may use hunting as a 

management tool with the explicit goal 

of reducing populations of invasive 

species that threaten ecosystem 

stability. Therefore, facilitating hunting 

opportunities is an important aspect of 

the Service’s roles and responsibilities 

for management of invasive species. 

We did not make any changes to the 

rule as a result of these comments. 

Comment (21): One commenter 

quoted the proposed rule’s description 

of the Service’s statutory authority to 

promulgate this rule and interpreted the 

quotation as indicating a ‘‘compatibility 

assessment’’ was not prepared for each 

station in the rule. 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
48834 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

Our Response: This commenter has 

misinterpreted the quoted language 

from the rule. The proposed rule’s 

preamble states, ‘‘[w]e develop specific 

management plans for each refuge prior 

to opening it to hunting or sport fishing. 

In many cases, we develop stationspecific regulations to ensure the 

compatibility of the programs with the 

purpose(s) for which we established the 

refuge or hatchery and the Refuge and 

Hatchery System mission’’ (86 FR 

23794, May 4, 2021, p. 86 FR 23795). 

This explains that management plans 

for many refuges call for promulgating 

station-specific regulations that ensure 

the compatibility of hunting and fishing 

programs with the purpose of the given 

refuge. As described in response to 

Comment (6), above, the appropriate 

State regulations set the default rules for 

hunting and sport fishing activities that 

are authorized on a refuge, but the 

Service often has to supplement these 

regulations with our own regulations to 

ensure compatibility. These are the 

regulations described as being needed 

‘‘in many cases’’ and many such 

regulations are contained in this rule. 

The proposed rule’s preamble goes on to 

state, ‘‘[w]e ensure initial compliance 

with the Administration Act and the 

Recreation Act for hunting and sport 

fishing on newly acquired land through 

an interim determination of 

compatibility made at or near the time 

of acquisition’’ (86 FR 23794, May 4, 

2021, p. 86 FR 23795). This describes 

another step, separate from developing 

regulations, in the process of planning 

hunting and sport fishing activities on a 

refuge: making a compatibility 

determination based on the nature of the 

hunting or sport fishing activity under 

consideration and the purposes of the 

particular refuge. These compatibility 

determinations must be and are made 

for every activity at every station that 

offers hunting or sport fishing activities. 

The phrase ‘‘in many cases’’ as used in 

the proposed rule is not grammatically 

tied to compatibility determinations and 

would never be used by the Service to 

describe compatibility determinations, 

as they are a necessary management step 

for all stations that offer wildlifedependent recreation. 

We did not make any changes to the 

rule as a direct result of this comment. 

Comment (22): One commenter 

argued that the proposed rule violates 

the Recreation Act in not curtailing 

public recreation, violates the 

Administration Act in not preserving 

biological integrity, and violates the 

Improvement Act in disrupting 

ecological processes. 

Our Response: We disagree with the 

commenter’s statement that this rule 

violates the Recreation Act. The 

Recreation Act provides that the 

Secretary shall curtail public recreation 

use generally in order to ensure 

accomplishment of the primary 

purposes for which said conservation 

areas were acquired or established. 

Thus, Congress delegated the 

responsibility of determining when to 

curtail all types of public recreation in 

the interest of the conservation purposes 

of each refuge to the Secretary of the 

Interior, and by extension to the Service. 

We disagree with the commenter’s claim 

that the Recreation Act calls on the 

Secretary to curtail public recreation 

uses generally, especially when the 

later-enacted Administration Act and 

Improvement Act explicitly allow, and 

even prioritize, hunting and sport 

fishing on refuges. The commenter’s 

interpretation also goes against the spirit 

of the Recreation Act because this 

statute was meant to facilitate public 

use and enjoyment of conservation 

areas, like refuge system lands. 

Moreover, there is nothing in this Act to 

indicate that, as the commenter implied, 

a recreational use must ‘‘provide 

income’’ to the Service or be necessary 

for wildlife management in order for the 

Secretary to authorize it. 

We disagree with the commenter’s 

statement that this rule violates the 

Administration Act. The commenter is 

correct that the Secretary, and by 

extension the Service, must create 

regulations for hunting within the 

Refuge System that ‘‘ensure that the 

biological integrity, diversity, and 

environmental health of the System are 

maintained.’’ The commenter is 

incorrect in concluding that this rule 

violates this part of the Refuge system 

mission because the commenter fails to 

recognize that our compatibility 

determination, NEPA, ESA section 7, 

and cumulative impacts report 

processes and analyses take into full 

account both lead exposure risks and 

food chain impacts. From these 

analyses, we determine that our fishing 

and hunting activities comply with our 

BIDEH policies based upon the best 

available science and the professional 

judgment of Service employees. 

The commenter first states that 

allowing lead shot for certain turkey 

hunts does not ensure biological 

integrity and environmental health. 

Where our analysis and expertise 

indicate that lead presents a significant 

danger to biological integrity and 

environmental health, the use of lead is 

not allowed; the primary examples are 

that lead ammunition is prohibited for 

all waterfowl hunting on all refuges, and 

all lead is prohibited from NWRs in the 

State of California in order to protect the 

California condor. The potential for lead 

to threaten biological integrity and 

environmental health is a key part of the 

NEPA and ESA analyses that are 

conducted before the authorization of 

any hunting or sport fishing activity on 

a refuge for which lead ammunition or 

tackle is allowed. For more on the topic 

of the use of lead for hunting and 

fishing in the Refuge System, see our 

response to Comment (10), above. 

The commenter next states that 

allowing the hunting of species at or 

near the top of the food chain in their 

given habitat does not ensure biological 

integrity because it would cause 

overpopulation of prey species lower on 

the food chain. While this rule does 

open or expand hunting of the specific 

species mentioned by the commenter 

(pronghorn, sandhill crane, and black 

bear) and other species atop or near the 

top of food chains, these hunts will not 

cause disruptive changes to population 

sizes of any species. Predators play a 

critical role in the integrity, diversity, 

and overall health of ecosystems, so 

before allowing predators to be hunted, 

a refuge manager must ensure that these 

actions do not threaten the integrity, 

diversity, or health of the refuge 

ecosystem. The manager must also 

determine that the action is compatible 

with refuge purposes and the mission of 

the Refuge System, and in keeping with 

the refuge’s CCP and other step-down 

plans. Hunting that would cause too 

large a reduction in the population of 

any species or overpopulation of any 

species would not be authorized, 

including under this rule. For more on 

the topic of authorized hunting of 

predator species in the Refuge System, 

see our response to Comment (15), 

above. 

We disagree with the commenter’s 

statement that this rule violates the 

Improvement Act. The commenter 

claims that the Improvement Act 

‘‘demands the conservation of ecological 

processes,’’ but no such language 

appears in the Improvement Act. The 

Improvement Act states instead that the 

Secretary shall provide for the 

conservation of fish, wildlife, and 

plants, and their habitats within the 

Refuge System. Even though the notion 

of ‘‘ecological processes’’ is absent from 

the statute, the Service does always 

consider the health and genetic 

diversity of wildlife populations in 

administering hunting and sport fishing 

within the Refuge System. As already 

noted above, for any proposed hunting 

activity the refuge manager must ensure 

that it does not threaten the integrity, 

diversity, or health of the refuge 

ecosystem. The manager must also 

determine that the action is compatible 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 48835 

with refuge purposes and the mission of 

the Refuge System, and in keeping with 

the refuge’s CCP and other step-down 

plans. If hunting would not be a viable 

tool for a given population, because of 

genetic diversity concerns or otherwise, 

other methods of preventing 

overpopulation are employed. The 

example of hunting providing a benefit 

for managing deer populations that the 

Service provided online, and which the 

commenter cited, is only meant to 

illustrate a potential benefit from certain 

hunts, not that such a benefit is the only 

consideration when authorizing 

hunting. While hunting may be a part of 

a refuge’s population control strategies 

for certain species, the Service considers 

all effects of hunting (e.g., impacts to 

genetic diversity) and compatibility 

with conservation purposes before 

authorizing such an activity. 

The commenter concludes that any 

hunting at all on refuges will disrupt 

ecological processes and should 

therefore not be allowed. While the 

Improvement Act does not include any 

discussion of ‘‘ecological processes,’’ it 

does, however, direct that the Secretary 

shall both recognize compatible 

wildlife-dependent recreational uses as 

the priority general public uses of the 

Refuge System and ensure that 

opportunities are provided within the 

Refuge System for compatible wildlifedependent recreational uses. The 

Improvement Act’s definition of 

‘‘wildlife-dependent recreational use’’ 

includes a use of a refuge involving 

hunting (among four other uses). Thus, 

the Service is actually directed by the 

statute to not only allow but to prioritize 

hunting on refuges whenever 

compatible with the conservation 

mission of the Refuge System. 

We did not make any changes to the 

rule as a direct result of this comment. 

Comment (23): We received two 

comments that touched on the proposed 

rule’s discussion of the economic 

impacts of the rule. One commenter 

argued that we must use a survey to 

determine how much non-consumptive, 

wildlife-dependent recreational use 

days might decrease because of this rule 

and include local economic impacts 

from a decrease in visitation from such 

users. The second commenter claimed 

that we must conduct a benefit-cost 

analysis for this rule and that it must 

include the cost to the Service to 

implement the rule and any loss of 

revenue from non-consumptive users. 

Our Response: For the first comment, 

it is important to note that calculations 

of the local economic impacts are done 

for purposes of the Regulatory 

Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) to 

support our determination that the rule 

will not have a significant economic 

impact on a substantial number of small 

entities. The rule is not promulgated 

solely because of the estimated benefits 

to local economies; the hunting and 

sport fishing openings and expansions 

in the rule are promulgated because of 

the public recreational benefits they 

provide, which the Service does not 

quantify. The commenter is correct that 

non-consumptive users are an important 

user group at our refuges and hatcheries, 

and they do bring benefits to local 

economies. However, the commenter’s 

argument that we need to consider 

economic impacts of the rule on nonconsumptive users, and presumably that 

it would change our finding on the 

significance of the rule’s impact if we 

did, does not persuade us for two key 

reasons. First, if the impacts the 

commenter describes, lost revenue for 

local economies from fewer nonconsumptive use days at refuges and 

hatcheries, were to occur as a result of 

this rule, they would be offset by the 

increased revenues that we have 

calculated for the added hunting and 

fishing use days. This means that 

calculating both impacts, again 

assuming there in fact were lost nonconsumptive use days, could never 

result in a larger monetary impact 

estimate than could be calculated by 

only considering one or the other alone. 

Thus, calculating net economic impacts 

from both user groups would not change 

the significance determination. 

Second, calculating only the 

economic impact of the rule’s effects on 

non-consumptive users of the refuges 

would not likely result in a higher 

estimate of maximum nationwide 

economic impact because there are no 

expected significant effects on this user 

group, which means the estimated 

economic impacts would be virtually 

zero. As discussed above in our 

response to Comment (17), this rule is 

not expected to significantly impact 

non-consumptive users. None of the 

provisions in this rule regulate nonconsumptive uses of the refuge, and all 

openings and expansions of hunting and 

fishing are assessed for compatibility 

with non-consumptive uses. The 

Service has put in place many 

restrictions on hunting and fishing 

programs, including some added in 

response to comments on this rule, in 

order to ensure that we balance the 

various priority wildlife-dependent 

recreation uses on all refuges and 

hatcheries. We do not expect the rule to 

significantly affect non-consumptive use 

of the refuges and hatcheries. 

Regarding the second comment, if a 

rulemaking is designated as a 

‘‘significant’’ regulatory action under 

E.O. 12866 by the Office of Management 

and Budget’s (OMB’s) Office of 

Information and Regulatory Affairs 

(OIRA), then that rulemaking must, to 

the extent possible, include a detailed 

analysis of the benefits and costs of the 

action. OIRA determined that this 

rulemaking is ‘‘not significant’’ under 

E.O. 12866, so a detailed analysis of the 

costs and benefits of this action is not 

required. However, we provide our 

factual basis for certifying that this rule 

will not have a significant economic 

impact on a substantial number of small 

entities below under Regulatory 

Flexibility Act. As earlier in this 

response, counting the revenue impacts 

to local economies from potential lost 

non-consumptive use days would not 

lead to finding a significant economic 

impact resulting from this rule. The 

same holds true for the costs of 

implementation, although in that case 

the reason it is expected to be a small 

monetary cost is that refuge managers 

evaluated their proposals prior to the 

publication of the May 4, 2021, 

proposed rule and ensured that the 

hunting and fishing openings and 

expansions in this rule can be 

administered with current budgets and 

staff, which are already used to operate 

various other programs on refuges. 

Estimates of implementation costs can 

be found in stations’ EAs for those 

stations that have prepared an EA, and 

for those that have prepared a 

Categorical Exclusion document under 

NEPA the hunting and fishing activities 

covered are necessarily minor changes 

that will result in negligible 

implementation costs. In general, the 

costs attributable to the hunting and 

fishing openings and expansions 

specifically, in terms of both wages and 

infrastructure, will be negligible 

compared to the local economic 

benefits, as only a few staff are needed 

to administer a program for many 

hunters. 

Finally, it is worth noting that, taking 

all of this together, it is almost certain 

that a benefit-cost analysis, pursuant to 

OMB Circular A–4, would find the 

benefits of this rule exceed the costs. As 

explained, no cost is expected in the 

form of decreased non-consumptive use 

days and the signage, staffing, and other 

costs to the Service in administering the 

hunting and fishing opportunities is 

unlikely to be greater than the benefits 

to local economies adjacent to stations, 

even though those are expected to be no 

more than $1.4 million. This would be 

enough to expect benefits to exceed 

costs already, but this would not yet 

account for the recreational benefits of 

the hunting and sport fishing 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
48836 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

opportunities. A full and thorough 

benefit-cost analysis would quantify this 

benefit using the hunt and fish use day 

estimates and the best available 

information about the price of similar 

hunting activity on private lands. For 

example, the company onX estimates 

the average cost to be at least $10 per 

acre for a hunting lease (see https://

www.onxmaps.com/hunt/blog/how-dohunting-leases-work#:∼:text=

Today’s%20hunters%20

can%20expect%20

to,the%20distance%20from%20

town%20(ie.). This realized economic 

surplus for hunters and anglers would 

be an important part of any benefit-cost 

analysis and would ensure benefits 

exceed costs. That is reflected in the 

Improvement Act, where Congress 

emphasized the importance of providing 

this public benefit, finding that the 

Refuge System’s conservation mission 

has been facilitated by providing 

Americans opportunities to participate 

in compatible wildlife-dependent 

recreation, including fishing and 

hunting, on Refuge System lands. A 

thorough benefit-cost analysis would 

also consider the fish and wildlife 

population management benefits of 

hunting and sport fishing to the extent 

that they provide population controls 

and target invasive species. That has a 

direct and quantifiable benefit in terms 

of reduced work hours from eliminating 

or reducing the need for refuge staff 

themselves to harvest fish and wildlife 

for population control and invasive 

species. Thus, we have determined that 

this rule is justified in terms of the ratio 

of benefits to costs, even if it will not 

have a significant impact on the 

economy. 

We did not make any changes to the 

rule, including to our Regulatory 

Flexibility Act discussion and our 

certification that this rule will not have 

a significant impact on a substantial 

number of small entities, as a result of 

these comments. 

Comment (24): One commenter 

expressed concern that proposed 

hunting activities on refuges within the 

Potomac River NWR Complex, 

especially hunting of American black 

duck, would be inconsistent with or 

detrimental to the Atlantic Coast Joint 

Venture, a regional bird conservation 

effort in which the Service is a partner 

organization. 

Our Response: We remain committed 

to and supportive of the Atlantic Coast 

Joint Venture (ACJV) and its habitat and 

species conservation objectives. In 

permitting hunting within the Potomac 

River NWR Complex and allowing the 

hunting of American black duck as a 

target species, we are following all 

restrictions advocated by the ACJV and 

only providing limited hunting. For 

example, at Featherstone NWR, we will 

allow black duck hunting on 36 acres 

and the hunting season is November 17– 

28 and December 18–January 30, with a 

daily bag limit of two black ducks. 

Similarly, the Virginia Department of 

Wildlife Resources, another partner to 

the ACJV, allows some hunting of 

American black duck on lands under its 

jurisdiction. Finally, as with any 

hunting in the Refuge System, hunting 

openings and expansions in the 

Potomac River NWR Complex have been 

evaluated by refuge managers for 

limited environmental effects, absence 

of adverse impacts to endangered 

species, compatibility with refuge 

purposes, and consistency with the 

refuge’s CCP. In authorizing these hunts, 

we have determined that they will not 

impede conservation efforts for the 

American black duck or other species of 

interest to the ACJV. 

We did not make any changes to the 

rule as a result of this comment. 

Comment (25): We received two 

comments with concerns that the 

information in the proposed rule was 

not easily understood, specifically in 

Table 1 concerning the meaning of ‘‘O’’ 

and ‘‘E’’ in the table. 

Our Response: As designated by the 

table key for the proposed rule’s Table 

1, ‘‘O’’ designates that the station is 

opening a new species in the respective 

category of species to hunting or 

opening fishing on the station, and ‘‘E’’ 

designates that the station is expanding 

hunting for species in the respective 

category or expanding sport fishing on 

the station. 

We revised Table 1 to account for 

changes to hunting and fishing openings 

and expansions in response to other 

public comments, but did not make any 

changes to the rule as a result of this 

comment. 

Comment (26): Two commenters 

expressed concern about the use and 

disposal of fishing line on the Potomac 

River NWR Complex. 

Our Response: The Service recognizes 

that discarded fishing line can present 

a danger to fish and to wildlife. In 

general, we educate anglers about this 

problem and the importance of proper 

disposal of fishing line. In this 

particular case, in addition to enforcing 

all State regulations on sport fishing, the 

refuges in the Potomac River NWR 

Complex will include information in 

their brochures and on their websites 

directing anglers to dispose of trash and 

fishing line, of all varieties, properly. 

We did not make any changes to the 

rule as a result of these comments. 

Changes From the Proposed Rule 

As discussed above, under Summary 

of Comments and Responses, based on 

comments we received on the proposed 

rule and NEPA documents for 

individual refuges and hatcheries, we 

made changes in this final rule to Bill 

Williams River, Bald Knob, Big Lake, 

Cache River, Holla Bend, Wapanocca, 

Cape May, Supawna Meadows, and 

William L. Finley NWRs. For Bald 

Knob, Big Lake, Cache River, Holla 

Bend, and Wapanocca NWRs, we 

removed the proposed language adding 

armadillo to the list of species available 

to hunt in response to comments and 

made administrative language changes 

to align the regulatory language across 

these refuges. For William L. Finley 

NWR, we removed the proposed 

language adding merganser to the list of 

species available to hunt in response to 

the State of Oregon’s request for 

alignment. For Cape May and Supawna 

Meadows NWRs, we extended the hours 

we are open to fishing in response to the 

State of New Jersey. Under Bill Williams 

River NWR, we modified the methods of 

take allowed for javelina hunting in 

response to the State of Arizona. For 

Missisquoi and Silvio O. Conte NWRs, 

we revised our language authorizing the 

use of dogs while hunting in response 

to comments. 

We removed all proposed hunting and 

fishing openings and expansions at 

Necedah NWR and Loess Bluffs NWR. 

The expansions at Necedah NWR are 

not included in this final rule because 

the underlying analyses for these 

actions may require further 

consideration. There are still regulatory 

changes for Necedah NWR in this final 

rule, but these are administrative 

revisions for consistency and clarity 

unrelated to the proposed expansions. 

The openings and expansions at Loess 

Bluffs NWR are not included in this 

final rule because of concerns expressed 

by the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and 

Nebraska. We will continue discussions 

with the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and 

Nebraska on how these acres and 

species may be considered for opening 

to hunting in the future. 

We have removed the language 

authorizing fishing at the former 

National Bison Range refuge in 

Montana. This refuge has been 

transferred to the Confederated Salish 

and Kootenai Tribes through the 

Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 

(Pub. L. 116–260), and we no longer 

have jurisdiction over public use on the 

land. 

We made minor, clarifying edits to the 

regulatory language for other refuges, 

including Dale Bumpers White River, 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 48837 

Bayou Sauvage, Bayou Teche, Big 

Branch Marsh, Bogue Chitto, Cat Island, 

Mandalay, Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee, 

Sequoyah, and Wichita Mountains 

NWRs. 

Effective Date 

We are making this rule effective 

upon publication (see DATES, above). We 

provided a 60-day public comment 

period for the May 4, 2021, proposed 

rule (86 FR 23794). We have determined 

that any further delay in implementing 

these station-specific hunting and sport 

fishing regulations would not be in the 

public interest, in that a delay would 

hinder the effective planning and 

administration of refuges’ and 

hatcheries’ hunting and sport fishing 

programs. This rule does not impact the 

public generally in terms of requiring 

lead time for compliance. Rather, it 

relieves restrictions in that it allows 

activities on refuges and hatcheries that 

we would otherwise prohibit. Therefore, 

we find good cause under 5 U.S.C. 

553(d)(3) to make this rule effective 

upon publication. 

Amendments to Existing Regulations 

Updates to Hunting and Fishing 

Opportunities on NWRs and NFHs 

This document codifies in the Code of 

Federal Regulations all of the Service’s 

hunting and/or sport fishing regulations 

that we are updating since the last time 

we published a rule amending these 

regulations (85 FR 54076; August 31, 

2020) and that are applicable at Refuge 

System and Hatchery System units 

previously opened to hunting and/or 

sport fishing. This rule better informs 

the general public of the regulations at 

each station, to increase understanding 

and compliance with these regulations, 

and to make enforcement of these 

regulations more efficient. In addition to 

now finding these regulations in 50 CFR 

parts 32 and 71, visitors to our refuges 

and hatcheries may find them reiterated 

in literature distributed by each station 

or posted on signs. 

TABLE 1—CHANGES FOR 2021–2022 HUNTING/SPORT FISHING SEASON

Station State Migratory bird 

hunting 

Upland game 

hunting 

Big game 

hunting Sport fishing 

Audubon NWR .............................. North Dakota ................................ Closed ............. Already Open .. E ...................... Already Open. 

Bald Knob NWR ........................... Arkansas ...................................... O/E .................. O/E .................. Already Open .. Already Open. 

Bayou Sauvage NWR ................... Louisiana ...................................... O/E .................. O ...................... O ...................... E. 

Bayou Teche NWR ....................... Louisiana ...................................... O/E .................. O/E .................. E ...................... Already Open. 

Big Branch Marsh NWR ............... Louisiana ...................................... O/E .................. O/E .................. O/E .................. E. 

Big Lake NWR .............................. Arkansas ...................................... Closed ............. O ...................... O/E .................. Already Open. 

Bill Williams River NWR ............... Arizona ......................................... E ...................... O/E .................. O/E .................. Already Open. 

Bogue Chitto NWR ....................... Louisiana & Mississippi ................ O/E .................. O/E .................. E ...................... Already Open. 

Bond Swamp NWR ....................... Georgia ......................................... E ...................... E ...................... E ...................... Already Open. 

Brazoria NWR ............................... Texas ............................................ O ...................... Closed ............. Closed ............. E. 

Cache River NWR ........................ Arkansas ...................................... O/E .................. O ...................... E ...................... Already Open. 

Caddo Lake NWR ......................... Texas ............................................ Closed ............. O ...................... Already Open .. Closed. 

Camas NWR ................................. Idaho ............................................ O ...................... Already Open .. O ...................... Closed. 

Cape May NWR ............................ New Jersey .................................. O/E .................. O/E .................. E ...................... E. 

Cat Island NWR ............................ Louisiana ...................................... O/E .................. O/E .................. E ...................... Already Open. 

Charles M. Russell NWR .............. Montana ....................................... Already Open .. Already Open .. O ...................... Already Open. 

Cherry Valley NWR ...................... Pennsylvania ................................ E ...................... O/E .................. E ...................... Already Open. 

Choctaw NWR .............................. Alabama ....................................... O ...................... O/E .................. E ...................... Already Open. 

Crab Orchard NWR ...................... Illinois ........................................... Already Open .. Already Open .. Already Open .. E. 

Cypress Creek NWR .................... Illinois ........................................... E ...................... E ...................... E ...................... E. 

Dale Bumpers White River NWR Arkansas ...................................... O ...................... Already Open .. Already Open .. Already Open. 

Delta NWR .................................... Louisiana ...................................... O/E .................. O/E .................. O/E .................. Already Open. 

Desert NWR .................................. Nevada ......................................... O ...................... O ...................... Already Open .. Closed. 

Don Edwards NWR ...................... California ...................................... E ...................... Closed ............. Closed ............. Already Open. 

Eastern Shore of Virginia NWR .... Virginia ......................................... O ...................... O ...................... O/E .................. O. 

Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck 

NWR.

Virginia ......................................... Closed ............. Closed ............. E ...................... O. 

Ernest F. Hollings ACE Basin 

NWR.

South Carolina ............................. Already Open .. Closed ............. O ...................... Already Open. 

Everglades Headwaters NWR ...... Florida .......................................... E ...................... E ...................... E ...................... Already Open. 

Featherstone NWR ....................... Virginia ......................................... N ...................... Closed ............. Closed ............. N. 

Felsenthal NWR ............................ Arkansas ...................................... O/E .................. E ...................... E ...................... Already Open. 

Fisherman Island NWR ................ Virginia ......................................... N ...................... Closed ............. Closed ............. Closed. 

Florida Panther NWR ................... Florida .......................................... Closed ............. Closed ............. N ...................... N. 

Franklin Island NWR ..................... Maine ............................................ N ...................... Closed ............. Closed ............. Closed. 

Grand Bay NWR ........................... Alabama & Mississippi ................. O ...................... O ...................... O ...................... O. 

Great Dismal Swamp NWR .......... Virginia ......................................... Closed ............. O ...................... O/E .................. Already Open. 

Great River NWR .......................... Missouri ........................................ C ...................... C ...................... C ...................... Already Open. 

Great Swamp NWR ...................... New Jersey .................................. O ...................... O ...................... O/E .................. Closed. 

Green Lake NFH .......................... Maine ............................................ Closed ............. Closed ............. Closed ............. N. 

Hackmatack NWR ........................ Illinois ........................................... E ...................... E ...................... E ...................... E. 

Harbor Island NWR ...................... Michigan ....................................... O ...................... O ...................... E ...................... O. 

Harris Neck NWR ......................... Georgia ......................................... Closed ............. Closed ............. O/E .................. Already Open. 

Havasu NWR ................................ Arizona ......................................... O/E .................. O ...................... Already Open .. Already Open. 

Holla Bend NWR .......................... Arkansas ...................................... Closed ............. O/E .................. O/E .................. E. 

J. Clark Salyer NWR .................... North Dakota ................................ Already Open .. E ...................... E ...................... Already Open. 

James River NWR ........................ Virginia ......................................... Closed ............. O ...................... O/E .................. O. 

Julia Butler Hansen Refuge .......... Oregon & Washington .................. E ...................... Closed ............. Already Open .. Already Open. 

Kern NWR ..................................... California ...................................... O ...................... Already Open .. Closed ............. Closed. 

Kootenai NWR .............................. Idaho ............................................ Already Open .. Already Open .. Already Open .. E. 

Lacreek NWR ............................... South Dakota ............................... Already Open .. Already Open .. Already Open .. E. 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
48838 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

TABLE 1—CHANGES FOR 2021–2022 HUNTING/SPORT FISHING SEASON—Continued 

Station State Migratory bird 

hunting 

Upland game 

hunting 

Big game 

hunting Sport fishing 

Lake Alice NWR ........................... North Dakota ................................ Already Open .. E ...................... E ...................... Already Open. 

Las Vegas NWR ........................... New Mexico .................................. O ...................... O ...................... O ...................... Closed. 

Mackay Island NWR ..................... North Carolina & Virginia ............. O ...................... Closed ............. O/E .................. Already Open. 

Malheur NWR ............................... Oregon ......................................... E ...................... E ...................... E ...................... Already Open. 

Mandalay NWR ............................. Louisiana ...................................... O/E .................. O ...................... E ...................... Already Open. 

Middle Mississippi River NWR ..... Missouri ........................................ Already Open .. E ...................... E ...................... Already Open. 

Minnesota Valley NWR ................. Minnesota ..................................... Already Open .. Already Open .. E ...................... Already Open. 

Missisquoi NWR ........................... Vermont ........................................ Already Open .. O ...................... Already Open .. Already Open. 

Moosehorn NWR .......................... Maine ............................................ E ...................... E ...................... E ...................... Already Open. 

Muleshoe NWR ............................. Texas ............................................ N ...................... N ...................... N ...................... Closed. 

National Elk Refuge ...................... Wyoming ...................................... Closed ............. Closed ............. O ...................... Already Open. 

Neal Smith NWR .......................... Iowa .............................................. E ...................... E ...................... E ...................... Closed. 

Neches River NWR ...................... Texas ............................................ N ...................... N ...................... N ...................... Closed. 

Northern Tallgrass Prairie NWR ... Minnesota & Iowa ........................ E ...................... E ...................... E ...................... E. 

Occoquan Bay NWR .................... Virginia ......................................... Closed ............. O ...................... O/E .................. O. 

Ohio River Islands NWR .............. Pennsylvania, Kentucky, & West 

Virginia.

O ...................... O ...................... O ...................... Already Open. 

Ottawa NWR ................................. Ohio .............................................. E ...................... E ...................... E ...................... E. 

Ouray NWR .................................. Utah .............................................. O ...................... Already Open .. O ...................... Already Open. 

Patoka River NWR ....................... Indiana .......................................... E ...................... E ...................... E ...................... E. 

Petit Manan NWR ......................... Maine ............................................ E ...................... E ...................... E ...................... Closed. 

Plum Tree Island NWR ................. Virginia ......................................... E ...................... Closed ............. Closed ............. O. 

Pond Island NWR ......................... Maine ............................................ N ...................... Closed ............. Closed ............. Closed. 

Presquile NWR ............................. Virginia ......................................... Closed ............. O ...................... O/E .................. O. 

Rappahannock River Valley NWR Virginia ......................................... Closed ............. O ...................... O/E .................. Already Open. 

Red River NWR ............................ Louisiana ...................................... O ...................... O ...................... Already Open .. Already Open. 

Rice Lake NWR ............................ Minnesota ..................................... Already Open .. Already Open .. E ...................... Already Open. 

Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee NWR Mississippi .................................... O/E .................. O/E .................. E ...................... Already Open. 

Sequoyah NWR ............................ Oklahoma ..................................... Already Open .. Already Open .. Already Open .. E. 

Sherburne NWR ........................... Minnesota ..................................... O ...................... E ...................... E ...................... Already Open. 

Silvio O. Conte NWR .................... New Hampshire ............................ E ...................... O/E .................. E ...................... E. 

Sunkhaze Meadows NWR ............ Maine ............................................ Already Open .. E ...................... Already Open .. Already Open. 

Supawna Meadows NWR ............. New Jersey .................................. O ...................... O ...................... O/E .................. E. 

Tensas River NWR ....................... Louisiana ...................................... O ...................... O ...................... O ...................... Already Open. 

UL Bend NWR .............................. Montana ....................................... Already Open .. Already Open .. O ...................... Already Open. 

Upper Ouachita NWR ................... Louisiana ...................................... O/E .................. O ...................... Already Open .. Already Open. 

Wallkill River NWR ....................... New York & New Jersey .............. E ...................... E ...................... E ...................... Already Open. 

Wapanocca NWR ......................... Arkansas ...................................... C ...................... O ...................... E ...................... Already Open. 

Waubay NWR ............................... South Dakota ............................... Closed ............. Closed ............. Already Open .. E. 

Wichita Mountains NWR ............... Oklahoma ..................................... Already Open .. Closed ............. Already Open .. E. 

William L. Finley NWR .................. Oregon ......................................... O ...................... Closed ............. E ...................... Already Open. 

Key: 

N = New station opened (New Station). 

O = New species and/or new activity on a station previously open to other activities (Opening). 

E = Station already open to activity adds new lands/waters, modifies areas open to hunting or fishing, extends season dates, adds a targeted 

hunt, modifies season dates, modifies hunting hours, etc. (Expansion). 

C = Station closing the activity on some or all acres (Closing). 

The changes for the 2021–2022 

hunting/fishing season noted in the 

table above are each based on a 

complete administrative record which, 

among other detailed documentation, 

also includes a hunt plan, a 

compatibility determination (for 

refuges), and the appropriate National 

Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 42 

U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) analysis, all of 

which were the subject of a public 

review and comment process. These 

documents are available upon request. 

Through these openings and 

expansions, we open or expand hunting 

or sport fishing on 2,066,116 acres 

within the National Wildlife Refuge 

System and the National Fish Hatchery 

System. 

Fish Advisory 

For health reasons, anglers should 

review and follow State-issued 

consumption advisories before enjoying 

recreational sport fishing opportunities 

on Service-managed waters. You can 

find information about current fishconsumption advisories on the internet 

at: http://www.epa.gov/fish-tech. 

Required Determinations 

Regulatory Planning and Review 

(Executive Orders 12866 and 13563) 

Executive Order 12866 provides that 

the Office of Information and Regulatory 

Affairs (OIRA) will review all significant 

rules. OIRA has determined that this 

rulemaking is not significant. 

Executive Order (E.O.) 13563 

reaffirms the principles of E.O. 12866 

while calling for improvements in the 

nation’s regulatory system to promote 

predictability, to reduce uncertainty, 

and to use the best, most innovative, 

and least burdensome tools for 

achieving regulatory ends. The 

executive order directs agencies to 

consider regulatory approaches that 

reduce burdens and maintain flexibility 

and freedom of choice for the public 

where these approaches are relevant, 

feasible, and consistent with regulatory 

objectives. E.O. 13563 emphasizes 

further that regulations must be based 

on the best available science and that 

the rulemaking process must allow for 

public participation and an open 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 48839 

exchange of ideas. We have developed 

this rule in a manner consistent with 

these requirements. 

Regulatory Flexibility Act 

Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act 

(as amended by the Small Business 

Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act 

[SBREFA] of 1996) (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), 

whenever a Federal agency is required 

to publish a notice of rulemaking for 

any proposed or final rule, it must 

prepare and make available for public 

comment a regulatory flexibility 

analysis that describes the effect of the 

rule on small entities (i.e., small 

businesses, small organizations, and 

small government jurisdictions). 

However, no regulatory flexibility 

analysis is required if the head of an 

agency certifies that the rule will not 

have a significant economic impact on 

a substantial number of small entities. 

Thus, for a regulatory flexibility analysis 

to be required, impacts must exceed a 

threshold for ‘‘significant impact’’ and a 

threshold for a ‘‘substantial number of 

small entities.’’ See 5 U.S.C. 605(b). 

SBREFA amended the Regulatory 

Flexibility Act to require Federal 

agencies to provide a statement of the 

factual basis for certifying that a rule 

will not have a significant economic 

impact on a substantial number of small 

entities. 

This rule opens or expands hunting 

and sport fishing on 88 NWRs and 1 

NFH. As a result, visitor use for 

wildlife-dependent recreation on these 

stations will change. If the stations 

establishing new programs were a pure 

addition to the current supply of those 

activities, it would mean an estimated 

maximum increase of 40,839 user days 

(one person per day participating in a 

recreational opportunity; see Table 2). 

Because the participation trend is flat in 

these activities since 1991, this increase 

in supply will most likely be offset by 

other sites losing participants. 

Therefore, this is likely to be a 

substitute site for the activity and not 

necessarily an increase in participation 

rates for the activity. 

TABLE 2—ESTIMATED MAXIMUM CHANGE IN RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES IN 2021–2022 

[Dollars in thousands] 

Station Additional 

hunting days 

Additional 

fishing days 

Additional 

expenditures 

Audubon NWR ............................................................................................................................. 10 ........................ $0.3 

Bald Knob NWR .......................................................................................................................... 30 ........................ 1.0 

Bayou Sauvage NWR .................................................................................................................. 344 ........................ 11.6 

Bayou Teche NWR ...................................................................................................................... 472 ........................ 15.9 

Big Branch Marsh NWR .............................................................................................................. 120 ........................ 4.0 

Big Lake NWR ............................................................................................................................. 2 ........................ 0.1 

Bill Williams River NWR .............................................................................................................. 66 ........................ 2.2 

Bogue Chitto NWR ...................................................................................................................... 45 ........................ 1.5 

Bond Swamp NWR ...................................................................................................................... 220 160 13.0 

Brazoria NWR .............................................................................................................................. 86 365 15.7 

Cache River NWR ....................................................................................................................... 60 ........................ 2.0 

Caddo Lake NWR ........................................................................................................................ 87 ........................ 2.9 

Camas NWR ................................................................................................................................ 250 ........................ 8.4 

Cape May NWR ........................................................................................................................... 100 ........................ 3.4 

Cat Island NWR ........................................................................................................................... 45 ........................ 1.5 

Charles M. Russell NWR ............................................................................................................. 10 ........................ 0.3 

Cherry Valley NWR.

Choctaw NWR ............................................................................................................................. 82 ........................ 2.8 

Crab Orchard NWR ..................................................................................................................... ........................ 3,000 105.2 

Cypress Creek NWR ................................................................................................................... 15 ........................ 0.5 

Dale Bumpers White River NWR ................................................................................................ 132 ........................ 4.4 

Delta NWR ................................................................................................................................... 85 ........................ 2.9 

Desert NWR ................................................................................................................................. 103 ........................ 3.5 

Don Edwards NWR ..................................................................................................................... 118 ........................ 4.0 

Eastern Shore of Virginia NWR ................................................................................................... 414 ........................ 13.9 

Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck NWR ......................................................................................... ........................ 1,200 42.1 

Ernest F. Hollings ACE Basin NWR ............................................................................................ 14 ........................ 0.5 

Everglades Headwaters NWR.

Featherstone NWR ...................................................................................................................... 670 1,200 64.7 

Felsenthal NWR ........................................................................................................................... 1,000 ........................ 33.7 

Fisherman Island NWR ............................................................................................................... 150 ........................ 5.1 

Florida Panther NWR .................................................................................................................. 6 365 13.0 

Franklin Island NWR .................................................................................................................... 137 ........................ 4.6 

Grand Bay NWR .......................................................................................................................... 920 730 56.6 

Great Dismal Swamp NWR ......................................................................................................... 465 ........................ 15.7 

Great River NWR.

Great Swamp NWR ..................................................................................................................... 500 ........................ 16.8 

Green Lake NFH ......................................................................................................................... ........................ 365 12.8 

Hackmatack NWR ....................................................................................................................... 40 30 2.4 

Harbor Island NWR ..................................................................................................................... 62 100 5.6 

Harris Neck NWR ........................................................................................................................ 68 ........................ 2.3 

Havasu NWR ............................................................................................................................... 89 ........................ 3.0 

Holla Bend NWR ......................................................................................................................... 100 ........................ 3.4 

J. Clark Salyer NWR ................................................................................................................... 10 ........................ 0.3 

James River NWR ....................................................................................................................... 160 1,200 47.5 

Julia Butler Hansen Refuge ......................................................................................................... 50 ........................ 1.7 

Kern NWR .................................................................................................................................... 30 ........................ 1.0 

Kootenai NWR ............................................................................................................................. ........................ 50 1.8 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
48840 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

TABLE 2—ESTIMATED MAXIMUM CHANGE IN RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES IN 2021–2022—Continued 

[Dollars in thousands] 

Station Additional 

hunting days 

Additional 

fishing days 

Additional 

expenditures 

Lacreek NWR .............................................................................................................................. ........................ 15 0.5 

Lake Alice NWR .......................................................................................................................... 10 ........................ 0.3 

Las Vegas NWR .......................................................................................................................... 28 ........................ 0.9 

Mackay Island NWR .................................................................................................................... 200 ........................ 6.7 

Malheur NWR .............................................................................................................................. 232 ........................ 7.8 

Mandalay NWR ............................................................................................................................ 519 ........................ 17.5 

Middle Mississippi River NWR .................................................................................................... 10 ........................ 0.3 

Minnesota Valley NWR.

Missisquoi NWR .......................................................................................................................... 400 ........................ 13.5 

Moosehorn NWR ......................................................................................................................... 50 ........................ 1.7 

Muleshoe NWR ............................................................................................................................ 75 10 2.9 

National Elk Refuge ..................................................................................................................... 48 ........................ 1.6 

Neal Smith NWR ......................................................................................................................... 27 ........................ 0.9 

Neches River NWR ..................................................................................................................... 2,161 ........................ 72.8 

Northern Tallgrass Prairie NWR .................................................................................................. 69.6 5.48 2.5 

Occoquan Bay NWR ................................................................................................................... 280 1,200 51.5 

Ohio River Islands NWR ............................................................................................................. 530 ........................ 17.9 

Ottawa NWR ................................................................................................................................ 18 160 6.2 

Ouray NWR ................................................................................................................................. 45 ........................ 1.5 

Patoka River NWR ...................................................................................................................... 15 2 0.6 

Petit Manan NWR ........................................................................................................................ 700 ........................ 23.6 

Plum Tree Island NWR ................................................................................................................ ........................ 300 10.5 

Pond Island NWR ........................................................................................................................ 138 ........................ 4.6 

Presquile NWR ............................................................................................................................ 10 1,200 42.4 

Rappahannock NWR ................................................................................................................... 497 ........................ 16.7 

Red River NWR.

Rice Lake NWR ........................................................................................................................... 48 ........................ 1.6 

Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee NWR ................................................................................................ 7 ........................ 0.2 

Sequoyah NWR ........................................................................................................................... ........................ 2,000 70.1 

Sherburne NWR .......................................................................................................................... 444 ........................ 15.0 

Silvio O. Conte NWR ................................................................................................................... 50 0 1.7 

Sunkhaze Meadows NWR ........................................................................................................... 10 ........................ 0.3 

Supawna Meadows NWR ............................................................................................................ 500 ........................ 16.8 

Tensas River NWR ...................................................................................................................... 16 ........................ 0.5 

UL Bend NWR ............................................................................................................................. 10 ........................ 0.3 

Upper Ouachita NWR .................................................................................................................. 45 ........................ 1.5 

Wallkill River NWR.

Wapanocca NWR ........................................................................................................................ 130 90 7.5 

Waubay NWR .............................................................................................................................. ........................ 15 0.5 

Wichita Mountains NWR .............................................................................................................. ........................ 12,123 425.2 

William L. Finley NWR ................................................................................................................. 264 ........................ 8.9 

Total ...................................................................................................................................... 14,954 25,885 1,411.5 

To the extent visitors spend time and 

money in the area of the station that 

they would not have spent there 

anyway, they contribute new income to 

the regional economy and benefit local 

businesses. Due to the unavailability of 

site-specific expenditure data, we use 

the national estimates from the 2016 

National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, 

and Wildlife Associated Recreation to 

identify expenditures for food and 

lodging, transportation, and other 

incidental expenses. Using the average 

expenditures for these categories with 

the maximum expected additional 

participation of the Refuge System and 

the Hatchery System yields 

approximately $1.4 million in 

recreation-related expenditures (see 

Table 2, above). By having ripple effects 

throughout the economy, these direct 

expenditures are only part of the 

economic impact of these recreational 

activities. Using a national impact 

multiplier for hunting activities (2.51) 

derived from the report ‘‘Hunting in 

America: An Economic Force for 

Conservation’’ and for fishing activities 

(2.51) derived from the report 

‘‘Sportfishing in America’’ yields a total 

maximum economic impact of 

approximately $5.3 million (2020 

dollars) (Southwick Associates, Inc., 

2018). Using a local impact multiplier 

would yield more accurate and smaller 

results. However, we employed the 

national impact multiplier due to the 

difficulty in developing local 

multipliers for each specific region. 

Since we know that most of the 

fishing and hunting occurs within 100 

miles of a participant’s residence, then 

it is unlikely that most of this spending 

will be ‘‘new’’ money coming into a 

local economy; therefore, this spending 

will be offset with a decrease in some 

other sector of the local economy. The 

net gain to the local economies will be 

no more than $5.3 million, and likely 

less. Since 80 percent of the participants 

travel less than 100 miles to engage in 

hunting and fishing activities, their 

spending patterns will not add new 

money into the local economy and, 

therefore, the real impact will be on the 

order of about $1.1 million annually. 

Small businesses within the retail 

trade industry (such as hotels, gas 

stations, taxidermy shops, bait-andtackle shops, and similar businesses) 

may be affected by some increased or 

decreased station visitation. A large 

percentage of these retail trade 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 48841 

establishments in the local communities 

around NWRs and NFHs qualify as 

small businesses (see Table 3, below). 

We expect that the incremental 

recreational changes will be scattered, 

and so we do not expect that the rule 

will have a significant economic effect 

on a substantial number of small entities 

in any region or nationally. As noted 

previously, we expect at most $1.4 

million to be spent in total in the 

refuges’ local economies. The maximum 

increase will be less than threehundredths of 1 percent for local retail 

trade spending (see Table 3, below). 

Table 3 does not include entries for 

those NWRs and NFHs for which we 

project no changes in recreation 

opportunities in 2021–2022; see Table 2, 

above. 

TABLE 3—COMPARATIVE EXPENDITURES FOR RETAIL TRADE ASSOCIATED WITH ADDITIONAL STATION VISITATION FOR

2021–2022 

[Thousands, 2020 dollars] 

Station/county(ies) Retail trade 

in 2017 1

Estimated 

maximum 

addition 

from new 

activities 

Addition as 

% of total 

Establishments 

in 2017 1

Establishments 

with fewer 

than 10 

employees 

in 2017 1

Audubon 

McLean, ND ...................................................... $95,006 $0.3 <0.01 39 29 

Bald Knob 

White, AR .......................................................... 1,110,661 1.0 <0.01 311 234 

Bayou Sauvage 

Orleans, LA ....................................................... 3,694,534 11.6 <0.01 1,343 1,021 

Bayou Teche 

St. Mary, LA ...................................................... 559,081 15.9 <0.01 186 145 

Big Branch Marsh 

St. Tammany, LA .............................................. 4,242,548 4.0 <0.01 901 596 

Big Lake 

Mississippi, AR ................................................. 442,920 0.1 <0.01 144 115 

Bill Williams River 

La Paz, AZ ........................................................ 475,421 1.1 <0.01 82 59 

Mohave, AZ ...................................................... 3,234,501 1.1 <0.01 615 397 

Bogue Chitto 

Washington, LA ................................................ 352,900 0.5 <0.01 146 110 

St. Tammany, LA .............................................. 4,242,548 0.5 <0.01 901 596 

Pearl River, MS ................................................ 693,664 0.5 <0.01 186 132 

Bond Swamp 

Bibb, GA ........................................................... 2,835,352 6.5 <0.01 780 555 

Twiggs, GA ....................................................... 22,447 6.5 0.03 13 11 

Brazoria 

Brazoria, TX ...................................................... 4,992,876 15.7 <0.01 831 546 

Cache River 

Woodruff, AR .................................................... 47,310 0.5 <0.01 31 26 

Monroe, AR ....................................................... 66,530 0.5 <0.01 35 27 

Jackson, AR ...................................................... 242,527 0.5 <0.01 68 48 

Prairie, AR ........................................................ 54,178 0.5 <0.01 32 23 

Caddo Lake 

Harrison, TX ...................................................... 638,384 2.9 <0.01 184 145 

Camas 

Jefferson, ID ..................................................... 221,301 8.4 <0.01 56 37 

Cape May 

Cape May, NJ ................................................... 2,043,622 3.4 <0.01 644 502 

Cat Island 

East Feliciana, LA ............................................. 82,906 1.5 <0.01 41 30 

Charles M. Russell 

Blaine, MT ......................................................... 43,638 <0.1 <0.01 22 16 

Phillips, MT ....................................................... 46,381 <0.1 <0.01 24 17 

McCone, MT ..................................................... 17,671 <0.1 <0.01 9 6 

Fergus, MT ....................................................... 166,443 <0.1 <0.01 62 51 

Petroleum, MT .................................................. D <0.1 <0.01 3 3 

Garfield, MT ...................................................... 14,204 <0.1 <0.01 4 2 

Valley, MT ......................................................... 145,264 <0.1 <0.01 49 39 

Choctaw 

Choctaw, AL ..................................................... 95,301 2.8 <0.01 55 42 

Crab Orchard 

Williamson, IL ................................................... 1,240,677 105.2 0.01 259 168 

Cypress Creek 

Alexander, IL ..................................................... 19,644 0.5 <0.01 18 14 

Dale Bumpers White River 

Arkansas, AR .................................................... 319,247 1.1 <0.01 94 64 

Monroe, AR ....................................................... 66,530 1.1 <0.01 35 27 

Phillips, AR ....................................................... 156,413 1.1 <0.01 79 62 

Desha, AR ........................................................ 130,625 1.1 <0.01 64 49 

Delta 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
48842 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

TABLE 3—COMPARATIVE EXPENDITURES FOR RETAIL TRADE ASSOCIATED WITH ADDITIONAL STATION VISITATION FOR

2021–2022—Continued 

[Thousands, 2020 dollars] 

Station/county(ies) Retail trade 

in 2017 1

Estimated 

maximum 

addition 

from new 

activities 

Addition as 

% of total 

Establishments 

in 2017 1

Establishments 

with fewer 

than 10 

employees 

in 2017 1

Plaquemines, LA ............................................... 119,957 2.9 <0.01 65 52 

Desert 

Clark, NV .......................................................... 33,837,749 3.5 <0.01 6,178 3,828 

Don Edwards 

Alameda, CA ..................................................... 28,390,575 4.0 <0.01 4,347 2,923 

Eastern Shore of Virginia 

Northampton, VA .............................................. 117,772 13.9 0.01 59 45 

Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck 

Fairfax, VA ........................................................ 1,818,140 42.1 <0.01 252 136 

Ernest F. Hollings ACE Basin 

Charleston, SC ................................................. 9,065,573 0.5 <0.01 2,003 1,334 

Hampton, SC .................................................... 178,354 0.5 <0.01 76 59 

Lancaster, SC ................................................... 825,599 0.5 <0.01 237 174 

Featherstone, VA 

Prince William, VA ............................................ 6,705,340 64.7 <0.01 1,164 683 

Felsenthal 

Ashley, AR ........................................................ 193,246 11.2 0.01 68 53 

Union, AR ......................................................... 591,376 11.2 <0.01 186 131 

Bradley, AR ....................................................... 75,395 11.2 0.01 33 25 

Fisherman Island 

Northampton, VA .............................................. 117,772 5.1 <0.01 59 45 

Florida Panther 

Collier, FL ......................................................... 7,710,838 13.0 <0.01 1,455 1,019 

Franklin Island 

Knox, ME .......................................................... 760,425 4.6 <0.01 256 183 

Grand Bay 

Mobile, AL ......................................................... 5,921,035 28.3 <0.01 1,514 1,040 

Jackson, MS ..................................................... 1,410,824 28.3 <0.01 407 296 

Great Dismal Swamp 

Sufolk City, VA .................................................. 1,225,412 7.8 <0.01 229 148 

Chesapeake City, VA ....................................... 4,415,609 7.8 <0.01 782 445 

Great Swamp 

Morris, NJ ......................................................... 11,015,983 16.8 <0.01 1,809 1,221 

Green Lake 

Hancock, ME .................................................... 1,001,578 12.8 <0.01 350 261 

Hackamatack 

McHenry, IL ...................................................... 4,115,924 1.2 <0.01 938 607 

Walworth, WI .................................................... 1,596,199 1.2 <0.01 361 258 

Harbor Island 

Chippewa, MI .................................................... 521,726 5.6 <0.01 148 98 

Harris Neck 

McIntosh, GA .................................................... 96,007 2.3 <0.01 45 35 

Havasu 

Mohave, AZ ...................................................... 3,234,501 3.0 <0.01 615 397 

Holla Bend 

Pope, AR .......................................................... 945,241 1.7 <0.01 272 185 

Yell, AR ............................................................. 132,972 1.7 <0.01 50 38 

J. Clark Salyer 

Bottineau, ND ................................................... 109,978 0.2 <0.01 29 21 

McHenry, ND .................................................... 33,913 0.2 <0.01 19 14 

James River 

Prince George, VA ............................................ 303,359 47.5 0.02 65 42 

Julia Butler Hansen 

Clatsop, OR ...................................................... 808,973 0.6 <0.01 269 215 

Columbia, OR ................................................... 417,825 0.6 <0.01 119 77 

Wahkiakum, WA ............................................... 8,582 0.6 0.01 6 5 

Kern 

Kern, CA ........................................................... 9,906,906 1.0 <0.01 1,966 1,250 

Kootenai 

Boundary, ID ..................................................... 123,467 1.8 <0.01 47 37 

Lacreek 

Meade, SD ........................................................ 325,901 0.5 <0.01 91 67 

Lake Alice 

Bottineau, ND ................................................... 109,978 0.2 <0.01 29 21 

McHenry, ND .................................................... 33,913 0.2 <0.01 19 14 

Las Vegas 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 48843 

TABLE 3—COMPARATIVE EXPENDITURES FOR RETAIL TRADE ASSOCIATED WITH ADDITIONAL STATION VISITATION FOR

2021–2022—Continued 

[Thousands, 2020 dollars] 

Station/county(ies) Retail trade 

in 2017 1

Estimated 

maximum 

addition 

from new 

activities 

Addition as 

% of total 

Establishments 

in 2017 1

Establishments 

with fewer 

than 10 

employees 

in 2017 1

San Miguel, NM ................................................ 231,666 0.9 <0.01 79 49 

Mackay Island 

Currituck, NC .................................................... 327,336 3.4 <0.01 135 109 

Virginia Beach City, VA .................................... 6,499,109 3.4 <0.01 1,468 893 

Malheur 

Harney, OR ....................................................... 169,776 7.8 <0.01 29 17 

Mandalay 

Terrebonne, LA ................................................. 1,964,261 17.5 <0.01 475 317 

Middle Mississippi River 

Perry, MO ......................................................... 294,900 0.3 <0.01 82 46 

Missisquoi 

Franklin, VT ...................................................... 876,359 13.5 <0.01 176 112 

Moosehorn 

Washington, ME ............................................... 438,713 1.7 <0.01 141 88 

Muleshoe 

Bailey, TX ......................................................... 49,284 2.9 0.01 21 15 

National Elk Refuge 

Teton, WY ......................................................... 676,935 1.6 <0.01 255 211 

Neal Smith 

Jasper, IA .......................................................... 408,507 0.9 <0.01 105 73 

Neches River 

Cameron, TX .................................................... 4,868,360 36.4 <0.01 1,084 686 

Anderson, TX .................................................... 631,510 36.4 0.01 167 124 

Northern Tallgrass Prairie 

Murray, MN ....................................................... 60,148 0.6 <0.01 44 33 

Kandiyohi, MN .................................................. 914,193 0.6 <0.01 208 145 

Clay, MN ........................................................... 779,998 0.6 <0.01 161 95 

Clay, IA ............................................................. 504,926 0.6 <0.01 102 70 

Occoquan Bay 

Prince William, VA ............................................ 6,705,340 51.5 <0.01 1,164 683 

Ohio River Islands 

Beaver, PA ........................................................ 1,717,000 4.5 <0.01 495 325 

Boyd, KY ........................................................... 903,141 4.5 <0.01 236 137 

Wood, OH ......................................................... 1,976,330 4.5 <0.01 369 218 

Wood, WV ......................................................... 1,631,635 4.5 <0.01 361 210 

Ottawa 

Ottawa, OH ....................................................... 467,388 6.2 <0.01 133 99 

Ouray 

Uintah, UT ......................................................... 471,207 1.5 <0.01 134 88 

Patoka River 

Pike, IN ............................................................. 67,144 0.3 <0.01 32 23 

Gibson, IN ......................................................... 529,720 0.3 <0.01 116 76 

Petit Manan 

Washington, ME ............................................... 438,713 4.7 <0.01 141 88 

Hancock, ME .................................................... 1,001,578 4.7 <0.01 350 261 

Knox, ME .......................................................... 760,425 4.7 <0.01 256 183 

Lincoln, ME ....................................................... 511,948 4.7 <0.01 204 157 

Cumberland, ME ............................................... 7,424,447 4.7 <0.01 1,454 936 

Plum Tree Island 

York, VA ............................................................ 1,014,306 10.5 <0.01 201 135 

Pond Island 

Knox, ME .......................................................... 760,425 4.6 <0.01 256 183 

Presquile 

Chesterfield, VA ................................................ 7,122,893 42.4 <0.01 958 589 

Rappahannock 

Essex, VA ......................................................... 233,522 3.3 <0.01 65 48 

King George, VA ............................................... 362,404 3.3 <0.01 64 42 

Westmoreland, VA ............................................ 122,436 3.3 <0.01 44 31 

Richmond, VA ................................................... 2,386,644 3.3 <0.01 795 578 

Caroline, VA ...................................................... 324,067 3.3 <0.01 63 48 

Rice Lake 

Aitkin, MN ......................................................... 148,260 1.6 <0.01 69 48 

Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee 

Noxubee, MS .................................................... 65,033 0.1 <0.01 40 35 

Winston, MS ..................................................... 211,903 0.1 <0.01 86 67 

Oktibbeha, MS .................................................. 558,982 0.1 <0.01 173 130 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
48844 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

TABLE 3—COMPARATIVE EXPENDITURES FOR RETAIL TRADE ASSOCIATED WITH ADDITIONAL STATION VISITATION FOR

2021–2022—Continued 

[Thousands, 2020 dollars] 

Station/county(ies) Retail trade 

in 2017 1

Estimated 

maximum 

addition 

from new 

activities 

Addition as 

% of total 

Establishments 

in 2017 1

Establishments 

with fewer 

than 10 

employees 

in 2017 1

Sequoyah 

Sequoyah, OK .................................................. 362,456 23.4 0.01 116 87 

Muskogee, OK .................................................. 958,492 23.4 <0.01 263 175 

Haskell, OK ....................................................... 154,591 23.4 0.02 37 23 

Sherburne 

Sherburne, MN ................................................. 985,715 15.0 <0.01 203 126 

Silvio O. Conte 

Coos, NH .......................................................... 575,506 0.6 <0.01 172 126 

Essex, VT ......................................................... 14,718 0.6 <0.01 18 15 

Windham, VT .................................................... 606,157 0.6 <0.01 236 171 

Sunkhaze Meadows 

Waldo, ME ........................................................ 417,407 0.1 <0.01 171 131 

Kennebec, ME .................................................. 2,624,338 0.1 <0.01 522 320 

Penobscot, ME ................................................. 3,443,680 0.1 <0.01 705 445 

Supawna Meadows 

Salem County, NJ ............................................. 607,072 16.8 <0.01 174 119 

Tensas River 

Madison, LA ...................................................... 115,029 0.3 <0.01 32 20 

Tensas, LA ........................................................ 25,165 0.3 <0.01 14 12 

UL Bend 

Phillips, MT ....................................................... 46,381 0.3 <0.01 24 17 

Upper Ouachita 

Union, LA .......................................................... 184,987 0.8 <0.01 56 45 

Morehouse, LA ................................................. 207,578 0.8 <0.01 74 53 

Wapanocca 

Crittenden, AR .................................................. 702,406 7.5 <0.01 149 104 

Waubay 

Day, SD ............................................................ 86,538 0.5 <0.01 30 18 

Wichita Mountains 

Comanche, OK ................................................. 1,412,420 425.2 0.03 407 274 

William L. Finley 

Linn, OR ............................................................ 1,504,418 8.9 <0.01 357 241 

1 U.S. Census Bureau. ‘‘D’’ denotes sample size too small to report data. 

With the small change in overall 

spending anticipated from this rule, it is 

unlikely that a substantial number of 

small entities will have more than a 

small impact from the spending change 

near the affected stations. Therefore, we 

certify that this rule will not have a 

significant economic effect on a 

substantial number of small entities as 

defined under the Regulatory Flexibility 

Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). A regulatory 

flexibility analysis is not required. 

Accordingly, a small entity compliance 

guide is not required. 

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement 

Fairness Act 

This rule is not a major rule under 5 

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

Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act. 

We anticipate no significant 

employment or small business effects. 

This rule: 

a. Will not have an annual effect on 

the economy of $100 million or more. 

The minimal impact would be scattered 

across the country and will most likely 

not be significant in any local area. 

b. Will not cause a major increase in 

costs or prices for consumers; 

individual industries; Federal, State, or 

local government agencies; or 

geographic regions. This rule will have 

only a slight effect on the costs of 

hunting opportunities for Americans. If 

the substitute sites are farther from the 

participants’ residences, then an 

increase in travel costs will occur. The 

Service does not have information to 

quantify this change in travel cost but 

assumes that, since most people travel 

less than 100 miles to hunt, the 

increased travel cost will be small. We 

do not expect this rule to affect the 

supply or demand for hunting 

opportunities in the United States, and, 

therefore, it should not affect prices for 

hunting equipment and supplies, or the 

retailers that sell equipment. 

c. Will not have significant adverse 

effects on competition, employment, 

investment, productivity, innovation, or 

the ability of U.S.-based enterprises to 

compete with foreign-based enterprises. 

This rule represents only a small 

proportion of recreational spending at 

NWRs. Therefore, this rule will have no 

measurable economic effect on the 

wildlife-dependent industry, which has 

annual sales of equipment and travel 

expenditures of $72 billion nationwide. 

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act 

Since this rule will apply to public 

use of federally owned and managed 

refuges, it will not impose an unfunded 

mandate on State, local, or Tribal 

governments or the private sector of 

more than $100 million per year. This 

rule will not have a significant or 

unique effect on State, local, or Tribal 

governments or the private sector. A 

statement containing the information 

required by the Unfunded Mandates 

Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) is not 

required. 

Takings (E.O. 12630) 

In accordance with E.O. 12630, this 

rule will not have significant takings 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 48845 

implications. This rule will affect only 

visitors at NWRs and NFHs, and 

describes what they can do while they 

are on a Service station. 

Federalism (E.O. 13132) 

As discussed under Regulatory 

Planning and Review and Unfunded 

Mandates Reform Act, above, this rule 

will not have sufficient federalism 

implications to warrant the preparation 

of a federalism summary impact 

statement under E.O. 13132. In 

preparing this rule, we worked with 

State governments. 

Civil Justice Reform (E.O. 12988) 

In accordance with E.O. 12988, the 

Department of the Interior has 

determined that this rule will not 

unduly burden the judicial system and 

that it meets the requirements of 

sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of the Order. 

Energy Supply, Distribution or Use (E.O. 

13211) 

On May 18, 2001, the President issued 

E.O. 13211 on regulations that 

significantly affect energy supply, 

distribution, and use. E.O. 13211 

requires agencies to prepare Statements 

of Energy Effects when undertaking 

certain actions. Because this rule adds 7 

NWRs to the list of refuges open to 

hunting and sport fishing, opens or 

expands hunting or sport fishing at 81 

other NWRs, and opens 1 NFH to sport 

fishing, it is not a significant regulatory 

action under E.O. 12866, and we do not 

expect it to significantly affect energy 

supplies, distribution, or use. Therefore, 

this action is not a significant energy 

action, and no Statement of Energy 

Effects is required. 

Consultation and Coordination With 

Indian Tribal Governments (E.O. 13175) 

In accordance with E.O. 13175, we 

have evaluated possible effects on 

federally recognized Indian tribes and 

have determined that there are no 

effects. We coordinate recreational use 

on NWRs and NFHs with Tribal 

governments having adjoining or 

overlapping jurisdiction before we 

propose the regulations. 

Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) 

This final rule contains existing and 

new information collections that we 

have submitted to the Office of 

Management and Budget (OMB) for 

review and approval under the 

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA, 

44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). All information 

collections require approval by the OMB 

under the PRA. We may not conduct or 

sponsor and you are not required to 

respond to a collection of information 

unless it displays a currently valid OMB 

control number. The OMB has reviewed 

and approved the information collection 

requirements associated with hunting 

and sport fishing activities across the 

National Wildlife Refuge System and 

National Fish Hatchery System and 

assigned the following OMB control 

numbers: 

• 1018–0140, ‘‘Hunting and Sport 

Fishing Application Forms and Activity 

Reports for National Wildlife Refuges, 

50 CFR 25.41, 25.43, 25.51, 26.32, 26.33, 

27.42, 30.11, 31.15, 32.1 to 32.72’’ 

(Expires 12/31/2023), 

• 1018–0102, ‘‘National Wildlife 

Refuge Special Use Permit Applications 

and Reports, 50 CFR 25, 26, 27, 29, 30, 

31, 32, & 36’’ (Expires 01/31/2024), 

• 1018–0135, ‘‘Electronic Federal 

Duck Stamp Program’’ (Expires 01/31/ 

2023), 

• 1018–0093, ‘‘Federal Fish and 

Wildlife Permit Applications and 

Reports—Management Authority; 50 

CFR 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23’’ (Expires 

08/31/2023), and 

• 1024–0252, ‘‘The Interagency 

Access Pass and Senior Pass 

Application Processes’’ (Expires 09/30/ 

2023). 

In accordance with the PRA and 5 

CFR 1320.8(d)(1), we provide the 

general public and other Federal 

agencies with an opportunity to 

comment on our request to revise OMB 

control number 1018–0140. This helps 

us assess the impact of our information 

collection requirements and minimize 

the public’s reporting burden. It also 

helps the public understand our 

information collection requirements and 

provide the requested data in the 

desired format. 

The Service’s final rule (RIN 1018– 

BF09) opens, for the first time, hunting 

and sport fishing on seven NWRs, opens 

or expands hunting and sport fishing at 

81 other NWRs, and opens hunting or 

sport fishing on one unit of the NFH. 

The additional burden associated with 

these new or expanded hunting and 

sport fishing opportunities, as well as 

the revised information collections 

identified below, require OMB approval. 

Many refuges offer hunting and sport 

fishing activities without collecting any 

information. Those refuges that do 

collect hunter and angler information do 

so seasonally, usually once a year at the 

beginning of the hunting or sport fishing 

season. Some refuges may elect to 

collect the identical information via a 

non-form format (letter, email, or 

through discussions in person or over 

the phone). Some refuges provide the 

form electronically over the internet. In 

some cases, because of high demand 

and limited resources, we often provide 

hunt opportunities by lottery, based on 

dates, locations, or type of hunt. 

The requested changes to the existing 

information collections identified below 

require OMB approval: 

Hunting Applications/Permit (FWS 

Form 3–2439, Hunt Application— 

National Wildlife Refuge System) 

Form 3–2439 collects the following 

information from individuals seeking 

hunting experiences on the NWRs: 

• Lottery Application: Refuges who 

administer hunting via a lottery system 

will use Form 3–2439 as the lottery 

application. If the applicant is 

successful, the completed Form 3–2439 

also serves as their permit application, 

avoiding a duplication of burden on the 

public filling out two separate forms. 

• Date of application: We often have 

application deadlines and this 

information helps staff determine the 

order in which we received the 

applications. It also ensures that the 

information is current. 

• Methods: Some refuges hold 

multiple types of hunts, i.e., archery, 

shotgun, primitive weapons, etc. We ask 

for this information to identify which 

opportunity(ies) a hunter is applying 

for. 

• Species Permit Type: Some refuges 

allow only certain species, such as 

moose, elk, or bighorn sheep to be 

hunted. We ask hunters to identify 

which species hunt they are applying 

for. 

• Applicant information: We collect 

name, address, phone number(s), and 

email so we can contact the applicant/ 

permittee either during the application 

process, when the applicant is 

successful in a lottery drawing, or after 

receiving a permit. 

• Party Members: Some refuges allow 

the permit applicant to include 

additional hunters in their group. We 

collect the names of all additional 

hunters, when allowed by the refuge. 

• Parent/Guardian Contact 

Information: We collect name, 

relationship, address, phone number(s), 

and email for a parent/guardian of youth 

hunters. We ask for this information in 

the event of an emergency. 

• Date: We ask hunters for their 

preferences for hunt dates. 

• Hunt/Blind Location: We ask 

hunters for their preferences for hunt 

units, areas, or blinds. 

• Special hunts: Some refuges hold 

special hunts for youth, hunters who are 

disabled, or other underserved 

populations. We ask hunters to identify 

if they are applying for these special 

hunts. For youth hunts, we ask for the 

age of the hunter at the time of the hunt. 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
48846 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

• Signature and date: To confirm that 

the applicant (and parent/guardian, if a 

youth hunter) understands the terms 

and conditions of the permit. 

Requested revisions to FWS Form 

3–2439: 

With this submission, we updated the 

title of the form to include NFHs. We 

also updated the Privacy Act Statement 

on the form to include applicability to 

all hunting permits (rather than only 

migratory bird hunting) and to also 

include references to authorized 

hunting on NFHs. 

Harvest/Fishing Activity Reports 

We have four harvest/fishing activity 

reports, depending on the species. We 

ask users to report on their success after 

their experience so that we can evaluate 

hunt quality and resource impacts. We 

requested to use the following activity 

reports, which we distribute during 

appropriate seasons, as determined by 

State or Federal regulations: 

• FWS Form 3–2359 (Big Game 

Harvest Report). 

• FWS Form 3–2360 (Sport Fishing 

Report). 

• FWS Form 3–2361 (Migratory Bird 

Hunt Report). 

• FWS Form 3–2362 (Upland/Small 

Game/Furbearer Report). 

We collect the following information 

on the harvest reports: 

• Name of refuge and location: We 

ask this to track responses by location, 

which is important when we manage 

more than one refuge or activity area 

from one office. 

• Date: We ask when the hunter/ 

angler participated in the activity. This 

helps us identify use trends so we have 

resources available. 

• Hours/Time in/out: We ask this to 

determine how long the hunter/angler 

participated in the activity. We also use 

this to track use so we can allocate 

resources appropriately. 

• Name, City, State: We ask for a 

name so we can identify the user. We 

ask for residence information to help 

establish use patterns (if users are local 

or traveling). 

• Number harvested/caught based on 

species: We ask this to determine the 

impacts on wildlife/fish populations, 

relative success, and quality of 

experience. 

• Species harvested/caught: We ask 

this to determine the impacts on 

wildlife/fish populations, relative 

success, and quality of experience. 

Requested revisions to harvest activity 

reports: 

With this submission, we requested 

approval of a new harvest form (FWS 

Form 3–2542, ‘‘Hunter Harvest Report’’) 

to replace FWS Forms 3–2359, 3–2361, 

and 3–2362 to simplify reporting 

requirements and to reduce burden on 

the public. In addition to the fields 

previously approved by OMB on the 

original three harvest report forms, we 

added the following additional fields to 

aid the refuge in management of the 

reports: 

• State-issued hunter identification 

(ID)/license number (NOTE: Refuges/ 

hatcheries that rely on the State agency 

to issue hunting permits are not 

required to collect the permittee’s 

personal identifying information (PII) on 

the harvest form. Those refuges/ 

hatcheries may opt to collect only the 

State ID number assigned to the hunter 

in order to match harvest data with their 

issued permit. Refuges/hatcheries will 

collect either hunter PII or State-issued 

ID number, but not both.) 

• Species observed—Data will be 

used by refuge/hatchery staff to 

document the presence of rare or 

unusual species. 

• Permit number/type—Data will be 

used to link the harvest report to the 

issued permit. 

• Hunt Tag Number—Data will be 

used to link the harvest report to the 

species-specific hunt tag. 

• Number of youth (younger than age 

18) in party—Data will be used to better 

understand volume of youth hunting on 

a refuge/hatchery. Specific hunter 

names are not collected, just total 

number of youths in hunting party. 

• Harvested by—Data will be used to 

determine ratio of adults to youth 

hunters. Specific hunter names are not 

collected. 

• Species observed—Data will be 

used by a refuge/hatchery to determine 

the presence of any unusual species 

(e.g., threatened or endangered species, 

or invasive species). 

Self-Clearing Check-In Permit (FWS 

Form 3–2405) 

FWS Form 3–2405 has three parts: 

• Self-Clearing Daily Check-in Permit. 

Each user completes this portion of the 

form (date of visit, name, and telephone 

numbers) and deposits it in the permit 

box prior to engaging in any activity on 

the refuge. 

• Self-Clearing Daily Visitor 

Registration Permit. Each user must 

complete the front side of the form 

(date, name, city, State, zip code, and 

purpose of visit) and carry this portion 

while on the refuge. At the completion 

of the visit, each user must complete the 

reverse side of the form (number of 

hours on refuge, harvest information 

(species and number), harvest method, 

angler information (species and 

number), and wildlife sighted (e.g., 

black bear and hog)) and deposit it in 

the permit box. 

• Self-Clearing Daily Vehicle Permit. 

The driver and each user traveling in 

the vehicle must complete this portion 

(date) and display in clear view in the 

vehicle while on the refuge. 

We use FWS Form 3–2405 to collect: 

• Information on the visitor (name, 

address, and contact information). We 

use this information to identify the 

visitor or driver/passenger of a vehicle 

while on the refuge. This is extremely 

valuable information should visitors 

become lost or injured. Law 

enforcement officers can easily check 

vehicles for these cards in order to 

determine a starting point for the search 

or to contact family members in the 

event of an abandoned vehicle. Having 

this information readily available is 

critical in a search and rescue situation. 

• Purpose of visit (hunting, sport 

fishing, wildlife observation, wildlife 

photography, auto touring, birding, 

hiking, boating/canoeing, visitor center, 

special event, environmental education 

class, volunteering, other recreation). 

This information is critical in 

determining public use participation in 

wildlife management programs. This not 

only allows the refuge to manage its 

hunt and other visitor use programs, but 

also to increase and/or improve 

facilities for non-consumptive uses that 

are becoming more popular on refuges. 

Data collected will also help managers 

better allocate staff and resources to 

serve the public as well as develop 

annual performance measures. 

• Success of harvest by hunters/ 

anglers (number and type of harvest/ 

caught). This information is critical to 

wildlife management programs on 

refuges. Each refuge will customize the 

form by listing game species and 

incidental species available on the 

refuge, hunting methods allowed, and 

data needed for certain species (e.g., for 

deer, whether itis a buck or doe and the 

number of points; or for turkeys, the 

weight and beard and spur lengths). 

• Visitor observations of incidental 

species. This information will help 

managers develop annual performance 

measures and it provides information to 

help develop resource management 

planning. 

• Photograph of animal harvested 

(specific refuges only). This requirement 

documents the sex of animal prior to the 

hunter being eligible to harvest the 

opposite sex (where allowed). 

• Date of visit and/or area visited. 

• Comments. We encourage visitors 

to comment on their experience. 

Requested revisions to FWS Form 

3–2405: 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 48847 

With this submission, we added 

vehicle license plate number, State 

issued, and make/model of vehicle 

fields as optional fields for refuges/ 

hatcheries. This information is required 

by law enforcement purposes for search 

and rescue/emergency response 

activities, as well as to verify ownership 

of vehicles in the event of damage on 

the refuge/hatchery, accidents, or other 

related law enforcement purposes. 

We have not requested any changes to 

the remaining information collections 

identified below, which are currently 

approved by OMB: 

Sport Fishing Application/Permit (FWS 

Form 3–2358, ‘‘Sport FishingShrimping-Crabbing-Frogging Permit 

Application’’) 

Form 3–2358 allows the applicant to 

choose multiple permit activities, and 

requests the applicant provide the state 

fishing license number. The form 

provides the refuge with more flexibility 

to insert refuge-specific requirements/ 

instructions, along with a permit 

number and validity dates for season 

issued. 

We collect the following information 

from individuals seeking sport fishing 

experiences: 

• Date of application: We often have 

application deadlines and this 

information helps staff determine the 

order in which we received the 

applications. It also ensures that the 

information is current. 

• State fishing license number: We 

ask for this information to verify the 

applicant is legally licensed by the State 

(where required). 

• Permit Type: On sport fishing 

permits, we ask what type of activity 

(crabbing, shrimping, frogging, etc.) is 

being applied for. 

• Applicant information: We collect 

name, address, phone number(s), and 

email so we can contact the applicant/ 

permittee either during the application 

process or after receiving a permit. 

• Signature and date: To confirm that 

the applicant (and parent/guardian, if a 

youth hunter) understands the terms 

and conditions of the permit. 

Labeling/Marking Requirements 

As a condition of the permit, some 

refuges require permittees to label 

hunting and/or sport fishing gear used 

on the refuge. This equipment may 

include items such as the following: 

Tree stands, blinds, or game cameras; 

hunting dogs (collars); flagging/trail 

markers; boats; and/or sport fishing 

equipment such as jugs, trotlines, and 

crawfish or crab traps. Refuges require 

the owner label their equipment with 

their last name, the State-issued 

hunting/fishing license number, and/or 

hunting/fishing permit number. Refuges 

may also require equipment for youth 

hunters include ‘‘YOUTH’’ on the label. 

This minimal information is necessary 

in the event the refuge needs to contact 

the owner. 

Required Notifications 

On occasion, hunters may find their 

game has landed outside of established 

hunting boundaries. In this situation, 

hunters must notify an authorized 

refuge employee to obtain consent to 

retrieve the game from an area closed to 

hunting or entry only upon specific 

consent. Certain refuges also require 

hunters to notify the refuge manager 

when hunting specific species (e.g., 

black bear, bobcat, or eastern coyote) 

with trailing dogs. Refuges 

encompassing privately owned lands, 

referred to as ‘‘easement overlay 

refuges’’ or ‘‘limited-interest easement 

refuges,’’ may also require the hunter 

obtain written or oral permission from 

the landowner prior to accessing the 

land. 

Due to the wide range of hunting and 

sport fishing opportunities offered on 

the NWRs and NFHs, the refuges and 

fish hatcheries may customize the forms 

to remove any fields that are not 

pertinent to the recreational 

opportunities they offer. Refuges will 

not add any new fields to the forms, but 

the order of the fields may be 

reorganized. Refuges may also 

customize the forms with instructions 

and permit conditions specific to a 

particular unit for the hunting/sport 

fishing activity. 

Title of Collection: Hunting and 

Fishing Application Forms and Activity 

Reports for National Wildlife Refuges 

and National Fish Hatcheries, 50 CFR 32 

and 71. 

OMB Control Number: 1018–0140. 

Form Number: FWS Forms 3–2358, 

3–2360, 3–2405, 3–2439, and 3–2542. 

Type of Review: Revision of a 

currently approved collection. 

Respondents/Affected Public: 

Individuals and households. 

Respondent’s Obligation: Required to 

Obtain or Retain a Benefit. 

Frequency of Collection: On occasion. 

Estimated Annual Non-Hour Burden 

Cost: None. 

Activity Annual number 

of responses 

Completion 

time per 

response 

Total annual 

burden hours 

Fish/Crab/Shrimp Application/Permit (Form 3–2358) ................................................ 2,659 5 minutes 222 

Harvest Reports (Forms 3–2360 and 3–2542 NEW) ................................................ 590,986 15 minutes 147,747 

Hunt Application/Permit (Form 3–2439) .................................................................... 360,998 10 minutes 60,166 

Labeling/Marking Requirements ................................................................................ 2,326 10 minutes 388 

Required Notifications ................................................................................................ 489 30 minutes 245 

Self-Clearing Check-In Permit (Form 3–2405) .......................................................... 672,945 5 minutes 56,079 

Totals .................................................................................................................. 1,630,403 .............................. 264,847 

The above burden estimates indicate 

an expected total of 1,630,403 responses 

and 264,847 burden hours across all of 

our forms. These totals reflect expected 

increases of 24,331 responses and 3,963 

burden hours relative to our previous 

information collection request. We 

expect such burden increases as a direct 

result of the increased number of 

hunting and fishing opportunities on 

Service stations under the rule. 

As part of our continuing effort to 

reduce paperwork and respondent 

burdens, and in accordance with 5 CFR 

1320.8(d)(1), we invite the public and 

other Federal agencies to comment on 

any aspect of this revision to an existing 

information collection, including: 

(1) Whether or not the collection of 

information is necessary for the proper 

performance of the functions of the 

agency, including whether or not the 

information will have practical utility; 

(2) The accuracy of our estimate of the 

burden for this collection of 

information, including the validity of 

the methodology and assumptions used; 

(3) Ways to enhance the quality, 

utility, and clarity of the information to 

be collected; and 

(4) Ways to minimize the burden of 

the collection of information on those 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
48848 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

who are to respond, including through 

the use of appropriate automated, 

electronic, mechanical, or other 

technological collection techniques or 

other forms of information technology, 

e.g., permitting electronic submission of 

response. 

On May 4, 2021, we published a 

proposed rule (86 FR 23794) which 

solicited comments on the information 

collection requirements described in 

this supporting statement for a period of 

60 days, ending July 6, 2021. We 

received no comments regarding the 

information collection requirements in 

response to the proposed rule. 

This final rule is effective 

immediately upon publication, for the 

reasons set forth above under Effective 

Date. We will, however, accept and 

consider all public comments 

concerning the information collection 

requirements received in response to 

this final rule. Send your written 

comments and suggestions on this 

information collection to the Service 

Information Collection Clearance 

Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 

5275 Leesburg Pike, MS: PRB (JAO/3W), 

Falls Church, VA 22041–3803 (mail); or 

Info_Coll@fws.gov (email). Please 

reference ‘‘OMB Control Number 1018– 

0140’’ in the subject line of your 

comments. 

Endangered Species Act Section 7 

Consultation 

We comply with section 7 of the 

Endangered Species Act of 1973, as 

amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), when 

developing comprehensive conservation 

plans and step-down management 

plans—which would include hunting 

and/or fishing plans—for public use of 

refuges and hatcheries, and prior to 

implementing any new or revised public 

recreation program on a station as 

identified in 50 CFR 26.32. We have 

completed section 7 consultations on 

each of the affected stations. 

National Environmental Policy Act 

We analyzed this rule in accordance 

with the criteria of the National 

Environmental Policy Act of 1969 

(NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4332(C)), 43 CFR part 

46, and 516 Departmental Manual (DM) 

8. 

A categorical exclusion from NEPA 

documentation applies to publication of 

amendments to station-specific hunting 

and fishing regulations because they are 

technical and procedural in nature, and 

the environmental effects are too broad, 

speculative, or conjectural to lend 

themselves to meaningful analysis (43 

CFR 46.210 and 516 DM 8). Concerning 

the actions that are the subject of this 

rulemaking, we have complied with 

NEPA at the project level when 

developing each action. This is 

consistent with the Department of the 

Interior instructions for compliance 

with NEPA where actions are covered 

sufficiently by an earlier environmental 

document (43 CFR 46.120). 

Prior to the addition of a refuge or 

hatchery to the list of areas open to 

hunting and fishing in 50 CFR parts 32 

and 71, we develop hunting and fishing 

plans for the affected stations. We 

incorporate these station hunting and 

fishing activities in the station 

comprehensive conservation plan and/ 

or other step-down management plans, 

pursuant to our refuge planning 

guidance in 602 Fish and Wildlife 

Service Manual (FW) 1, 3, and 4. We 

prepare these comprehensive 

conservation plans and step-down plans 

in compliance with section 102(2)(C) of 

NEPA, the Council on Environmental 

Quality’s regulations for implementing 

NEPA in 40 CFR parts 1500 through 

1508, and the Department of Interior’s 

NEPA regulations 43 CFR part 46. We 

invite the affected public to participate 

in the review, development, and 

implementation of these plans. Copies 

of all plans and NEPA compliance are 

available from the stations at the 

addresses provided below. 

Available Information for Specific 

Stations 

Individual refuge and hatchery 

headquarters have information about 

public use programs and conditions that 

apply to their specific programs and 

maps of their respective areas. To find 

out how to contact a specific refuge or 

hatchery, contact the appropriate 

Service office for the States listed below: 

Hawaii, Idaho, Oregon, and 

Washington. Regional Chief, National 

Wildlife Refuge System, U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service, Eastside Federal 

Complex, Suite 1692, 911 NE 11th 

Avenue, Portland, OR 97232–4181; 

Telephone (503) 231–6203. 

Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and 

Texas. Regional Chief, National Wildlife 

Refuge System, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

Service, P.O. Box 1306, 500 Gold 

Avenue SW, Albuquerque, NM 87103; 

Telephone (505) 248–6635. 

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, 

Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and 

Wisconsin. Regional Chief, National 

Wildlife Refuge System, U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service, 5600 American Blvd. 

West, Suite 990, Bloomington, MN 

55437–1458; Telephone (612) 713–5476. 

Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, 

Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North 

Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, 

Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. 

Regional Chief, National Wildlife Refuge 

System, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 

1875 Century Boulevard, Atlanta, GA 

30345; Telephone (404) 679–7356. 

Connecticut, Delaware, District of 

Columbia, Maine, Maryland, 

Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New 

Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode 

Island, Vermont, Virginia, and West 

Virginia. Regional Chief, National 

Wildlife Refuge System, U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service, 300 Westgate Center 

Drive, Hadley, MA 01035–9589; 

Telephone (413) 253–8307. 

Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, 

North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and 

Wyoming. Regional Chief, National 

Wildlife Refuge System, U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service, 134 Union Blvd., 

Lakewood, CO 80228; Telephone (303) 

236–4377. 

Alaska. Regional Chief, National 

Wildlife Refuge System, U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service, 1011 E. Tudor Rd., 

Anchorage, AK 99503; Telephone (907) 

786–3545. 

California and Nevada. Regional 

Chief, National Wildlife Refuge System, 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2800 

Cottage Way, Room W–2606, 

Sacramento, CA 95825; Telephone (916) 

767–9241. 

Primary Author 

Christian Myers, Division of Natural 

Resources and Conservation Planning, 

National Wildlife Refuge System, is the 

primary author of this rulemaking 

document. 

List of Subjects 

50 CFR Part 32 

Fishing, Hunting, Reporting and 

recordkeeping requirements, Wildlife, 

Wildlife refuges. 

50 CFR Part 71 

Fish, Fishing, Wildlife. 

Signing Authority 

The Assistant Secretary for Fish and 

Wildlife and Parks approved this 

document and authorized the 

undersigned to sign and submit the 

document to the Office of the Federal 

Register for publication electronically as 

an official document of the Department 

of the Interior. Shannon Estenoz, 

Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife 

and Parks, approved this document on 

August 10, 2021, for publication. 

Regulation Promulgation 

For the reasons set forth in the 

preamble, we amend title 50, chapter I, 

subchapters C and E of the Code of 

Federal Regulations as follows: 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 48849 

SUBCHAPTER C—THE NATIONAL 

WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM 

PART 32—HUNTING AND FISHING 

■ 1. The authority citation for part 32 

continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 16 U.S.C. 460k, 

664, 668dd–668ee, and 715i; Pub. L. 115–20, 

131 Stat. 86. 

■ 2. Amend § 32.7 by: 

■ a. Redesignating paragraphs (i)(6) 

through (15) as paragraphs (i)(7) through 

(16) and adding a new paragraph (i)(6); 

■ b. Revising paragraph (s); 

■ c. Removing paragraph (z)(17); 

■ d. Redesignating paragraphs (z)(18) 

through (25) as paragraphs (z)(17) 

through (24); 

■ e. Redesignating paragraphs (qq)(12) 

through (14) as paragraphs (qq)(14) 

through (16) and adding new paragraphs 

(qq)(12) and (13); and 

■ f. Redesignating paragraphs (tt)(5) 

through (12) as paragraphs (tt)(7) 

through (14) and adding new paragraphs 

(tt)(5) and (6). 

The additions and revision read as 

follows: 

§ 32.7 What refuge units are open to 

hunting and/or sport fishing? 

* * * * * 

(i) * * * 

(6) Florida Panther National Wildlife 

Refuge. 

* * * * * 

(s) Maine. (1) Franklin Island National 

Wildlife Refuge. 

(2) Moosehorn National Wildlife 

Refuge. 

(3) Petit Manan National Wildlife 

Refuge. 

(4) Pond Island National Wildlife 

Refuge. 

(5) Rachel Carson National Wildlife 

Refuge. 

(6) Sunkhaze Meadows National 

Wildlife Refuge. 

(7) Umbagog National Wildlife 

Refuge. 

* * * * * 

(qq) * * * 

(12) Muleshoe National Wildlife 

Refuge. 

(13) Neches River National Wildlife 

Refuge. 

* * * * * 

(tt) * * * 

(5) Featherstone National Wildlife 

Refuge. 

(6) Fisherman Island National 

Wildlife Refuge. 

* * * * * 

■ 3. Amend § 32.20 by: 

■ a. Adding paragraph (c)(1); 

■ b. Revising paragraphs (c)(2) and (3); 

■ c. Removing paragraph (c)(4)(ii); and 

■ d. Redesignating paragraphs (c)(4)(iii) 

through (v) as paragraphs (c)(4)(ii) 

through (iv). 

The addition and revisions read as 

follows: 

§ 32.20 Alabama. 

* * * * * 

(c) Choctaw National Wildlife 

Refuge—(1) Migratory game bird 

hunting. We allow hunting of duck, 

light and dark geese, coot, and 

merganser on designated areas of the 

refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) We only allow migratory game bird 

hunting during the Special Youth, 

Veteran, and Active Military Personnel 

Waterfowl Hunting Days determined by 

the State. Regular waterfowl season 

shooting hours, bag limits, and legal 

arms and ammunition apply to the 

special days. 

(ii) You must remove all decoys, blind 

materials, and harvested game from the 

refuge (see § 27.93 of this chapter) by 1 

p.m. each day. 

(iii) Hunters may enter the refuge at 

4 a.m. and must stop hunting at 12 p.m. 

(noon) each day. 

(iv) We allow the use of dogs for 

retrieval of migratory birds. 

(v) We allow the incidental take of 

coyote, beaver, opossum, nutria, 

raccoon, and feral hog during any refuge 

hunt with the weapons legal for that 

hunt, as governed by the State of 

Alabama. 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of squirrel and rabbit, and 

incidental take of coyote, beaver, 

raccoon, opossum, and nutria, on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) We prohibit leaving unattended 

personal property, including, but not 

limited to, boats or vehicles of any type, 

geocaches, lumber, and cameras, 

overnight on the refuge (see § 27.93 of 

this chapter). 

(ii) All persons age 15 or younger, 

while hunting on the refuge, must be in 

the presence and under direct 

supervision of a licensed or exempt 

hunter age 21 or older. A licensed 

hunter supervising a youth must hold a 

valid State license for the species being 

hunted. One adult may supervise no 

more than two youth hunters. 

(iii) We allow the use of dogs when 

hunting squirrel and rabbit. 

(iv) Hunters may only hunt during 

designated days and times. 

(v) The condition set forth at 

paragraph (c)(1)(v) of this section 

applies. 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of white-tailed deer and 

incidental take of feral hog subject to the 

following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (c)(1)(v), and (c)(2)(i) and (ii) 

of this section apply. 

(ii) Deer hunters may place one 

portable stand or blind on the refuge for 

use while deer hunting, but only during 

the open deer season. The stand must be 

clearly labeled with the hunter’s State 

hunting license number. You may leave 

the stand or blind on the refuge 

overnight during the deer season. 

(iii) While climbing a tree, installing 

a tree stand that uses climbing aids, or 

hunting from a tree stand on the refuge, 

hunters must use a fall-arrest system 

(full body harness) that is manufactured 

to the Tree Stand Manufacturers 

Association’s standards. 

(iv) Deer hunts are archery only 

except during the State Special 

Opportunity Areas (SOA) hunt. 

(v) The State SOA hunt will occur 4 

days per year on the refuge as specified 

by State SOA regulations. 

(vi) Hunters must be selected for and 

possess a State limited quota permit in 

order to participate in the State SOA 

hunt on the refuge. 

(vii) We allow the use of 

muzzleloaders only during the State 

SOA hunt. 

* * * * * 

■ 4. Amend § 32.22 by: 

■ a. Revising paragraphs (a)(1) through 

(3), (b)(1)(iii), (c)(1)(i), (c)(2) 

introductory text, (c)(3)(ii), and (e); 

■ b. Adding paragraphs (h)(1)(iv) and 

(v); and 

■ c. Revising paragraphs (h)(2)(ii) and 

(iii), and (h)(3)(ii). 

The revisions and additions read as 

follows: 

§ 32.22 Arizona. 

* * * * * 

(a) * * * (1) Migratory game bird 

hunting. We allow hunting of mourning 

and white-winged dove on designated 

areas of the refuge subject to the 

following conditions: 

(i) We allow only shotguns and 

archery equipment for hunting. 

(ii) We prohibit hunting within 50 

yards (45 meters) of any road or trail 

open to public use and within 1⁄4 mile 

(402 meters) of any building. 

(iii) You must remove boats, 

equipment, temporary blinds, stands, 

etc., at the end of each day’s activities 

(see § 27.93 of this chapter). 

(iv) Hunters may enter the refuge 1⁄2

hour before legal sunrise and must leave 

the refuge no later than 1⁄2 hour after 

legal sunset. 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of Gambel’s quail, Eurasian 

collared-dove, cottontail rabbit, coyote, 

gray fox, and kit fox on designated areas 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
48850 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

of the refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (a)(1)(i) through (iv) of this 

section apply, except that we also allow 

muzzleloading shotguns for cottontail 

rabbit hunting. 

(ii) We allow hunting of Gambel’s 

quail in alignment with the State quail 

season. 

(iii) We allow hunting of cottontail 

rabbit from September through February 

aligning with the beginning of the State 

dove season and the end of the State 

quail season. 

(iv) We allow hunting of Eurasian 

collared-dove during the State mourning 

and white-winged dove season. 

(v) We prohibit night hunting from 1⁄2

hour after legal sunset until 1⁄2 hour 

before legal sunrise the following day. 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of desert bighorn sheep and 

javelina on designated areas of the 

refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (a)(1)(ii) through (iv) of this 

section apply. 

(ii) We allow the use of rifles, 

muzzleloaders, and archery for desert 

bighorn sheep hunting. 

(iii) We allow shotguns shooting slugs 

and archery equipment for javelina 

hunting. 

* * * * * 

(b) * * * 

(1) * * * 

(iii) We allow the use of dogs when 

hunting. 

* * * * * 

(c) * * * 

(1) * * * 

(i) We require hunters to obtain a 

visitor access permit (Department of 

Defense form/requirement) from the 

refuge. 

* * * * * 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of Gambel’s quail, Eurasian 

collared-dove, desert cottontail rabbit, 

antelope jackrabbit and black-tailed 

jackrabbit, coyote, bobcat, and kit and 

gray fox in designated areas of the 

refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

* * * * * 

(3) * * * 

(ii) We require Special Use Permits for 

all guides (FWS Form 3–1383–C), stock 

animals (FWS Form 3–1383–G), and 

bighorn sheep hunters (FWS Form 3– 

1383–G). 

* * * * * 

(e) Havasu National Wildlife Refuge— 

(1) Migratory game bird hunting. We 

allow hunting of mourning and whitewinged dove, duck, American coot, 

common gallinule, goose, and snipe on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) We prohibit falconry. 

(ii) We allow only shotguns, 

crossbows, and archery equipment for 

hunting. 

(iii) You must remove all decoys, 

boats, trash items, cameras, temporary 

blinds, stands, and other equipment at 

the end of each day’s activities (see 

§§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter). 

(iv) We allow the use of dogs when 

hunting. 

(v) The following conditions apply to 

Pintail Slough (Quota Hunt Area): 

(A) We require a fee for Quota 

waterfowl hunting. 

(B) We limit the number of persons at 

each waterfowl hunt blind or field to 

four. Observers cannot hold shells or 

guns for hunting unless in possession of 

a valid State hunting license and 

stamps. 

(C) Waterfowl hunters must hunt 

within the designated boundaries of 

their assigned blind or field. 

(D) You may use only native 

vegetation or materials for making or 

fixing hunt blinds. 

(E) We allow waterfowl hunting on 

Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. 

Waterfowl hunting ends at 2 p.m. MST 

(Mountain Standard Time). Hunters 

must be out of the Pintail Slough area 

by 3 p.m. MST. 

(F) We allow dove hunting at the 

Pintail Slough Quota Hunt Area outside 

the general State waterfowl season. 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of Gambel’s quail, cottontail 

rabbit, Eurasian collared-dove, African 

collared-dove, black-tailed jackrabbit, 

bobcat, coyote, gray fox, and kit fox on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (e)(1)(i) through (iv) of this 

section apply, except that we also allow 

pneumatic weapons, muzzleloaders, 

and hand guns for upland game 

hunting. 

(ii) We prohibit night hunting from 1⁄2

hour after legal sunset until 1⁄2 hour 

before legal sunrise the following day. 

(iii) We allow hunting of Gambel’s 

quail, cottontail rabbit, Eurasian 

collared-dove, African collared-dove, 

black-tailed jackrabbit, bobcat, coyote, 

gray fox, and kit fox from September 1– 

March 15. 

(iv) We allow the incidental take of 

Gambel’s quail, cottontail rabbit, 

Eurasian collared-dove, African 

collared-dove, black-tailed jackrabbit, 

bobcat, coyote, gray fox, and kit fox in 

the Pintail Slough Quota Hunt Area 

during the general State waterfowl 

season by hunters possessing a valid 

permit (FWS Form 3–2439) at their 

designated waterfowl hunt blind or 

field. 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of desert bighorn sheep and the 

incidental take of feral hog on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (e)(1)(i) and (iii) of this 

section apply. 

(ii) We allow only rifles for desert 

bighorn sheep hunting. 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow fishing on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) The condition set forth at 

paragraph (e)(1)(iii) of this section 

applies. 

(ii) We prohibit overnight boat 

mooring and shore anchoring unless 

actively fishing, as governed by State 

regulations. 

* * * * * 

(h) * * * 

(1) * * * 

(iv) You must remove all equipment, 

cameras, temporary blinds, stands, etc., 

at the end of each day’s activities (see 

§ 27.93 of this chapter). 

(v) We allow Eurasian collared-dove 

hunting only during mourning and 

white-winged dove seasons. 

(2) * * * 

(ii) We prohibit night hunting from 1⁄2

hour after legal sunset until 1⁄2 hour 

before legal sunrise the following day. 

(iii) We allow quail hunting during 

State seasons. For all other upland game 

species, we only allow hunting when a 

species season dates overlap with a 

general or archery State deer or javelina 

hunt season, except for youth-only 

seasons. 

(3) * * * 

(ii) We allow hunting of black bear 

only when the State season dates 

overlap with a general or archery State 

deer or javelina hunt season, except for 

youth-only seasons. 

* * * * * 

■ 5. Amend § 32.23 by revising 

paragraphs (a) through (f), and (i) to read 

as follows: 

§ 32.23 Arkansas. 

* * * * * 

(a) Bald Knob National Wildlife 

Refuge—(1) Migratory game bird 

hunting. We allow hunting of duck, 

goose, coot, merganser, snipe, 

woodcock, rail, gallinule, crow, and 

dove on designated areas of the refuge 

subject to the following conditions: 

(i) We require a signed refuge hunting 

permit (FWS Form 3–2439). Anyone on 

the refuge in possession of hunting 

equipment must sign and possess the 

permit (FWS Form 3–2439) at all times. 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 48851 

(ii) During the quota gun deer hunt, 

we close the refuge to all other hunts 

and public entry, unless the refuge is 

closed to deer hunting at that time due 

to implementation of State flood closure 

zone regulations. 

(iii) Hunters may enter the refuge 

beginning at 4 a.m. Except when 

hunting applicable goose species during 

the State Conservation Order, waterfowl 

hunters must exit the refuge by 1 p.m. 

All other hunters, including those 

hunting applicable goose species during 

the State Conservation Order, must exit 

the refuge no later than 1 hour after 

legal sunset. 

(iv) We allow waterfowl hunting until 

12 p.m. (noon), except that during the 

State Conservation Order, you may hunt 

for applicable goose species until legal 

sunset. Snipe, woodcock, rail, gallinule, 

crow, and dove hunters may hunt until 

legal sunset. 

(v) When waterfowl hunting, you may 

not possess more than 25 shotgun shells 

while in the field, except that during the 

State Conservation Order, there is no 

limit on the number of shells you may 

possess while hunting applicable goose 

species. 

(vi) We prohibit hunting closer than 

100 yards (91 meters) to another hunter 

or hunting party. 

(vii) You must remove decoys, blinds, 

boats, and all other equipment at the 

end of each day’s hunt (see § 27.93 of 

this chapter). 

(viii) All hunters age 11 and younger 

who possess valid hunter education 

certification must remain within normal 

sight and voice contact with an adult 

age 18 or older who possesses a valid 

State hunting license. Hunters age 15 

and younger who have not completed 

hunter education must be under the 

direct supervision (within arm’s reach) 

of an adult age 21 or older who 

possesses a valid State hunting license. 

One adult may supervise up to two 

youth hunters for migratory bird and 

upland game hunting, but may 

supervise only one youth during big 

game hunting. 

(ix) We allow incidental take of 

beaver, muskrat, nutria, river otter, 

mink, bobcat, fox, striped skunk, and 

coyote during any refuge hunt with the 

weapons legal for that hunt, subject to 

applicable State seasons and 

regulations. 

(x) We allow the use of dogs when 

migratory game bird hunting. 

(xi) We close the Waterfowl Sanctuary 

Hunt Unit to all entry and hunting from 

November 15 to February 28, except that 

quota gun deer hunters may hunt in that 

Unit when the season overlaps with 

these dates. 

(xii) We allow waterfowl hunting 

from mowed and/or graveled road 

rights-of-way, but we prohibit all other 

hunting from these rights-of-way. 

(xiii) We allow only hunters to use 

all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and only 

from September 1 through March 31, 

except that during the State 

Conservation Order, hunters may use 

ATVs for hunting applicable goose 

species. 

(xiv) Hunters may use conventional 

motor vehicles, ATVs, bicycles, and ebikes only on public use roads, levee 

tops, designated ATV trails (open to 

ATVs only), and established parking 

lots not closed by a locked gate, other 

barrier, or signage. 

(xv) Hunters and anglers may use 

conventional motor vehicles only in the 

Bison, Waterfowl Sanctuary, and Core 

Waterfowl Area Hunt Units and only 

from March 1 through November 14. 

(xvi) From November 15 through 

February 28, we close the Core 

Waterfowl Area Hunt Unit to all 

hunting, fishing, and public entry at 1 

p.m. daily, except that during the State 

Conservation Order, you may hunt 

applicable goose species in this Unit 

until legal sunset. 

(xvii) We prohibit the use of personal 

watercraft (e.g., jet skis), airboats, and 

hovercraft for hunting and fishing on 

the refuge. 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of squirrel, rabbit, quail, 

raccoon, opossum, beaver, muskrat, 

nutria, river otter, mink, bobcat, fox, 

striped skunk, and coyote on designated 

areas of the refuge subject to the 

following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (ii), (viii), (ix), and 

(xi) through (xvii) of this section apply. 

(ii) Hunters may use shotguns, rifles 

and handguns chambered for rimfire 

cartridges, air rifles, and archery tackle. 

(iii) We allow squirrel, rabbit, 

opossum, raccoon, and quail hunting 

according to season dates and bag limits 

provided in the annual refuge public 

use brochure. 

(iv) We allow the use of dogs when 

hunting upland game. 

(v) Hunters may enter the refuge 

beginning at 4 a.m. and must exit the 

refuge by 1 hour after legal sunset, 

except that we allow hunting of raccoon 

and opossum at night (from 30 minutes 

after legal sunset to 30 minutes before 

legal sunrise) on the refuge. 

(vi) We prohibit hunting from a 

vehicle. 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of deer and turkey, and the 

incidental take of feral hog, on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (ii), (viii), (ix), and 

(xi) through (xvii), (2)(v), and (2)(vi) of 

this section apply. 

(ii) We allow archery/crossbow, 

modern gun, and muzzleloader deer 

hunting according to season dates and 

bag limits provided in the annual refuge 

public use brochure. 

(iii) Turkey hunting will be conducted 

in the Bison, Waterfowl Sanctuary, and 

Mingo Creek Hunt Units according to 

season dates and bag limits provided in 

the annual refuge public use brochure. 

(iv) Hunters may use only shotguns 

with slugs, muzzleloaders, handguns 

with barrel lengths greater than 4 

inches, large-bore air rifles, and archery/ 

crossbow tackle for modern gun deer 

hunting on the Bison, Core Waterfowl 

Area, and Waterfowl Sanctuary Hunt 

Units. 

(v) You may erect portable stands and 

blinds 7 days prior to the refuge deer 

season and must remove them from the 

waterfowl sanctuary prior to November 

15, except for stands used by quota gun 

deer hunters, which you must remove 

by the last day of the quota gun deer 

hunt (see § 27.93 of this chapter). You 

must remove all stands on the 

remainder of the refuge within 7 days of 

the closure of archery season (see 

§ 27.93 of this chapter). 

(vi) We prohibit leaving any tree 

stand, blind, or game camera on the 

refuge without the owner’s Arkansas 

Game and Fish Commission customer 

identification number clearly written on 

it in a conspicuous location. 

(vii) We prohibit the possession or use 

of lead shot and buckshot for deer 

hunting. We allow lead shot for turkey 

hunting. 

(viii) During the quota gun deer hunt, 

we allow only hunters possessing a 

valid quota gun deer hunting permit 

(FWS Form 3–2439) on the refuge and 

only for the purposes of deer hunting 

and the incidental take of allowable 

species. 

(ix) Hunters may only take feral hog 

incidental to modern gun and 

muzzleloader deer hunts and during 

specified periods for archery deer 

hunting according to season dates 

provided in the annual refuge public 

use brochure. 

(x) We prohibit the use of dogs for 

deer hunting. 

(xi) During the quota turkey hunts, 

only hunters possessing a valid quota 

turkey hunting permit (FWS Form 3– 

2439) will be allowed to enter the open 

hunt units and only for the purposes of 

turkey hunting. 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport 

fishing, frogging, and crawfishing on 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
48852 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraph (a)(1)(ii), (xi), (xv) through 

(xvii), and (a)(3)(viii) and (xi) of this 

section apply. 

(ii) We prohibit the take or possession 

of turtles and/or mollusks (see § 27.21 of 

this chapter). 

(iii) We allow fishing, frogging, and 

crawfishing for personal use only. All 

crawfish traps must have the owner’s 

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission 

license customer identification number 

permanently affixed. 

(iv) You may enter the refuge to fish, 

frog, or crawfish beginning at 4 a.m. and 

must exit by 1 hour after legal sunset. 

(v) We prohibit tournament fishing on 

the refuge. 

(b) Big Lake National Wildlife Refuge. 

(1) [Reserved] 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of squirrel, rabbit, quail, 

raccoon, nutria, coyote, beaver, muskrat, 

river otter, mink, bobcat, fox, striped 

skunk, and opossum on designated 

areas of the refuge subject to the 

following conditions: 

(i) We require a signed refuge hunt 

permit (FWS Form 3–2439). Anyone on 

the refuge in possession of hunting 

equipment must sign and possess the 

permit (FWS Form 3–2439) at all times. 

(ii) During the quota gun deer hunt, 

we close the refuge to all other hunts 

and public entry. 

(iii) We allow incidental take of 

nutria, beaver, muskrat, river otter, 

mink, bobcat, fox, striped skunk, and 

coyote during any refuge hunt with the 

weapons legal for that hunt, subject to 

applicable State seasons and 

regulations. 

(iv) We allow squirrel, rabbit, raccoon, 

opossum, and quail hunting according 

to season dates and bag limits provided 

in the annual refuge public use 

brochure. 

(v) We allow the use of dogs only for 

squirrel, rabbit, and quail hunting in the 

refuge area north of Timm’s Point. 

(vi) Hunters may only use shotguns, 

rifles and handguns chambered for 

rimfire cartridges, air rifles, and archery 

tackle. 

(vii) We prohibit hunting from mowed 

and/or gravel road rights-of-way. 

(viii) Hunters may enter the refuge 

beginning at 4 a.m. and must exit the 

refuge by 1 hour after legal sunset, 

except that we allow hunting of raccoon 

and opossum at night (from 30 minutes 

after legal sunset to 30 minutes before 

legal sunrise) on the refuge. 

(ix) All hunters age 11 and younger 

who possess valid hunter education 

certification must remain within normal 

sight and voice contact with an adult 

age 18 or older who possesses a valid 

State hunting license. Hunters age 15 

and younger who have not completed 

hunter education must be under the 

direct supervision (within arm’s reach) 

of an adult age 21 or older who 

possesses a valid State hunting license. 

One adult may supervise up to two 

youth hunters for upland game hunting, 

but may supervise only one youth 

during big game hunting. 

(x) From November 1 to February 28, 

we close all waterfowl sanctuaries to all 

hunting and public entry. 

(xi) Hunters and anglers may not 

leave motor vehicles, bicycles, e-bikes, 

or boats overnight on the refuge. 

(xii) We only allow use of all-terrain 

vehicles (ATVs) by hunters with 

mobility-impairments, and the refuge 

manager must authorize this use in 

writing. 

(xiii) Hunters and anglers may use 

motor vehicles, bicycles, and e-bikes 

only on public use roads not closed by 

a locked gate, other barrier, or signage. 

(xiv) From November 1 through 

February 28, boat access is restricted to 

launching at Seven Mile boat ramp and 

using Ditch 28 only. 

(xv) We prohibit the use of personal 

watercraft (e.g., jet skis), airboats, and 

hovercraft for hunting and fishing on 

the refuge. 

(xvi) We prohibit hunting from a 

vehicle. 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of white-tailed deer, turkey, and 

incidental take of feral hog on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (b)(2)(i) through (iii), and 

(vii) through (xvi) of this section apply. 

(ii) We allow archery/crossbow, 

modern gun, and muzzleloader deer 

hunting according to season dates and 

bag limits provided in the annual refuge 

public use brochure. 

(iii) Modern gun deer hunters may 

only use shotguns with slugs, 

muzzleloaders, handguns with barrel 

lengths greater than 4 inches, large-bore 

air rifles, and archery/crossbow tackle. 

(iv) You may erect portable stands or 

blinds 7 days prior to the refuge deer 

season and must remove them 7 days 

after the closure of archery season (see 

§ 27.93 of this chapter). 

(v) We prohibit leaving any tree stand, 

blind, or game camera on the refuge 

without the owner’s Arkansas Game and 

Fish Commission customer 

identification number clearly written on 

it in a conspicuous location. 

(vi) Hunters may only take feral hog 

incidental to modern gun and 

muzzleloader deer hunts and during a 

specified period during archery deer 

hunting according to season dates 

provided in the annual refuge public 

use brochure. 

(vii) We prohibit the possession or use 

of lead shot or buckshot for deer 

hunting. We allow lead shot for turkey 

hunting. 

(viii) Turkey hunting is conducted 

according to season dates and bag limits 

provided in the annual refuge public 

use brochure. 

(ix) During the quota gun deer hunts, 

only hunters possessing a valid quota 

gun deer permit (FWS Form 3–2439) 

may use the refuge and only for the 

purposes of deer hunting and the 

incidental take of allowable species. 

(x) During the quota gun turkey hunts, 

we close the refuge Wildlife Auto Drive 

Road to other hunting and public entry, 

and only hunters possessing a valid 

quota gun turkey permit (FWS Form 3– 

2439) may use that area of the refuge 

and only for the purposes of turkey 

hunting. 

(xi) We prohibit the use of dogs for 

deer hunting. 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport 

fishing, frogging, and crawfishing on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (b)(2)(ii), (x), (xi), (xii) 

through (xv), and (b)(3)(ix) and (x) of 

this section apply. 

(ii) Anglers may launch boats only in 

designated areas. 

(iii) We allow frogging and 

crawfishing for personal use only. All 

crawfish traps must have the owner’s 

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission 

license customer identification number 

permanently affixed. 

(iv) We prohibit the take or possession 

of turtles and/or mollusks (see § 27.21 of 

this chapter). 

(v) We allow fishing, frogging, and 

crawfishing on all refuge waters from 

March 1 through October 31. 

(vi) We allow fishing in the Sand 

Slough-Mud Slough area from 

November 1 through February 28 only 

with the use of nonmotorized boats and 

electric trolling motors; anglers may 

enter this area at 4 a.m. and must depart 

by 1 hour after legal sunset. 

(vii) We prohibit climbing onto or 

fishing from any water control structure 

and associated wingwalls and fences, or 

the top of the Floodway Dam south of 

Highway 18. 

(viii) We prohibit tournament fishing 

on the refuge. 

(c) Cache River National Wildlife 

Refuge—(1) Migratory game bird 

hunting. We allow hunting of duck, 

goose, coot, merganser, snipe, 

woodcock, rail, gallinule, crow, and 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 48853 

dove on designated areas of the refuge 

subject to the following conditions: 

(i) We require a signed refuge hunting 

permit (FWS Form 3–2439). Anyone on 

the refuge in possession of hunting 

equipment must sign and possess the 

permit (FWS Form 3–2439) at all times. 

(ii) Hunters may enter the refuge 

beginning at 4 a.m. Except when 

hunting applicable goose species during 

the State Conservation Order, waterfowl 

hunters must exit the refuge by 1 p.m. 

All other hunters, including those 

hunting applicable goose species during 

the State Conservation Order, must exit 

the refuge no later than 1 hour after 

legal sunset. 

(iii) We allow waterfowl hunting until 

12 p.m. (noon), except that during the 

State Conservation Order, you may hunt 

for applicable goose species until legal 

sunset. 

(iv) You must remove decoys, blinds, 

boats, and all other equipment at the 

end of each day’s hunt (see § 27.93 of 

this chapter). 

(v) From March 1 through October 31, 

hunters and anglers may leave boats 

displaying valid registration on the 

refuge. 

(vi) During the regular State waterfowl 

hunting season, we prohibit the use of 

boats on the refuge from 12 a.m. 

(midnight) to 4 a.m. 

(vii) We allow the use of dogs when 

migratory game bird hunting. 

(viii) We allow waterfowl hunting on 

flooded refuge roads. 

(ix) During the quota gun deer hunt, 

we close the refuge to all other hunts 

and public entry, unless the refuge is 

closed to deer hunting at that time due 

to implementation of State flood closure 

zone regulations. 

(x) All hunters age 11 and younger 

who possess valid hunter education 

certification must remain within normal 

sight and voice contact with an adult 

age 18 or older who possesses a valid 

State hunting license. Hunters age 15 

and younger who have not completed 

hunter education must be under the 

direct supervision (within arm’s reach) 

of an adult age 21 or older who 

possesses a valid State hunting license. 

One adult may supervise up to two 

youth hunters for migratory bird and 

upland game hunting, but may 

supervise only one youth during big 

game hunting. 

(xi) We allow incidental take of 

beaver, muskrat, nutria, river otter, 

mink, bobcat, fox, striped skunk, and 

coyote during any refuge hunt with the 

weapons legal for that hunt, subject to 

applicable State season and regulations. 

(xii) From November 15 to February 

28, we close all waterfowl sanctuaries to 

all hunting and public entry. 

(xiii) We allow only hunters to use 

all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and only 

from September 1 through March 31, 

except that during the State 

Conservation Order, hunters may use 

ATVs for hunting applicable goose 

species. 

(xiv) Hunters and anglers may not 

operate conventional motor vehicles, 

ATVs, bicycles, or e-bikes on any road 

or trail closed by a locked gate, other 

barrier, or signage. 

(xv) Hunter and anglers may not leave 

motor vehicles, ATVs, bicycles, or ebikes unattended overnight on the 

refuge. 

(xvi) We prohibit the use of personal 

watercraft (e.g., jet skis), airboats, and 

hovercraft for hunting and fishing on 

the refuge. 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of squirrel, rabbit, quail, 

raccoon, opossum, beaver, muskrat, 

nutria, river otter, mink, bobcat, fox, 

striped skunk, and coyote on designated 

areas of the refuge subject to the 

following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (c)(1)(i), (v), (vi), and (ix) 

through (xvi) of this section apply. 

(ii) We allow squirrel, rabbit, raccoon, 

opossum, and quail hunting according 

to season dates and bag limits provided 

in the annual refuge public use 

brochure. 

(iii) We allow the use of dogs when 

hunting upland game. 

(iv) We prohibit hunting from mowed 

and/or graveled road rights-of-way. 

(v) Hunters may use only shotguns, 

rifles and handguns chambered for 

rimfire cartridges, air rifles, and archery 

tackle. 

(vi) Hunters may enter the refuge 

beginning at 4 a.m. and must exit the 

refuge by 1 hour after legal sunset, 

except that we allow hunting of raccoon 

and opossum at night (from 30 minutes 

after legal sunset to 30 minutes before 

legal sunrise) on the refuge. 

(vii) We prohibit hunting from a 

vehicle. 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of deer and turkey, and 

incidental take of feral hog, on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (c)(1)(i), (v), (vi), and (ix) 

through (xvi), and (c)(2)(iv), (vi) and 

(vii) of this section apply. 

(ii) We allow archery/crossbow, 

modern gun, and muzzleloader deer 

hunting according to season dates and 

bag limits provided in the annual refuge 

public use brochure. 

(iii) Hunters may take only feral hog 

incidental to modern gun and 

muzzleloader deer hunts and during a 

specified period during archery deer 

hunting according to season dates 

provided in the annual refuge public 

use brochure. 

(iv) Hunters may only use shotguns 

with slugs, muzzleloaders, handguns 

with barrel lengths greater than 4 

inches, large-bore air rifles, and archery/ 

crossbow tackle for modern gun deer 

hunting on the Dixie, Dixie Waterfowl 

Sanctuary, and Plunkett Farm 

Waterfowl Sanctuary Hunt Units. 

(v) You may erect portable stands or 

blinds 7 days prior to the refuge deer 

season, and you must remove them from 

the waterfowl sanctuaries prior to 

November 15, and from the rest of the 

refuge within 7 days of the closure of 

archery season (see § 27.93 of this 

chapter). 

(vi) We prohibit leaving any tree 

stand, blind, or game camera on the 

refuge without the owner’s Arkansas 

Game and Fish Commission customer 

identification number clearly written on 

it in a conspicuous location. 

(vii) We prohibit the possession or use 

of lead shot and buckshot for deer 

hunting. We allow lead shot for turkey 

hunting. 

(viii) During the quota gun deer hunt, 

we allow only hunters possessing a 

valid quota gun deer hunting permit 

(FWS Form 3–2439) on the refuge and 

only for the purposes of deer hunting 

and the incidental take of allowable 

species. 

(ix) Turkey hunting will be conducted 

in designated areas according to season 

dates and bag limits provided in the 

annual refuge public use brochure. 

(x) We prohibit the use of dogs for 

deer hunting. 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport 

fishing, frogging, and crawfishing on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (c)(1)(v), (vi), (ix), (xii), (xiv) 

through (xvi), and (c)(3)(viii) of this 

section apply. 

(ii) We prohibit the take or possession 

of turtles and/or mollusks (see § 27.21 of 

this chapter). 

(iii) We allow frogging and 

crawfishing for personal use only. All 

crawfish traps must have the owner’s 

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission 

license customer identification number 

permanently affixed. 

(iv) We prohibit tournament fishing 

on the refuge. 

(d) Dale Bumpers White River 

National Wildlife Refuge—(1) Migratory 

game bird hunting. We allow hunting of 

waterfowl (duck, goose, merganser, and 

coot), dove, and woodcock on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
48854 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

(i) We require an annual public use 

permit (FWS Form 3–2439) to hunt, 

fish, launch boats, and utilize 

campgrounds. 

(ii) We allow waterfowl hunting from 

legal shooting hours until 12 p.m. 

(noon). 

(iii) We allow the use of dogs when 

migratory game bird hunting. 

(iv) We allow woodcock hunting 

beginning December 1 until the end of 

the State woodcock season on the North 

Unit following State legal shooting 

hours and bag limit. 

(v) We prohibit goose hunting outside 

the State duck season. 

(vi) We allow dove hunting only 

during the Statewide season in 

September and October, as specified in 

the refuge public use brochure. 

(vii) You must remove blinds, blind 

material, and decoys from the refuge by 

1 p.m. each day (see § 27.93 of this 

chapter). 

(viii) Waterfowl hunters may enter the 

North Unit, Jack’s Bay Hunt Area, and 

Levee Hunt Area no earlier than 4 a.m. 

on days hunting is allowed, as 

identified in the refuge public use 

brochure. 

(ix) We prohibit boating from 

November 1 to March 1 in the South 

Unit Waterfowl Hunt Areas, except from 

4 a.m. to 1 p.m. on designated waterfowl 

hunt days. 

(x) We allow waterfowl hunting on 

outlying tracts; the conditions set forth 

at paragraphs (d)(1)(ii), (vii), and (viii) of 

this section apply. 

(xi) We only allow all-terrain vehicles 

(ATVs) for wildlife-dependent hunting 

and fishing activities. We prohibit the 

use of ATVs after December 15 each 

year in designated South Unit areas as 

shown in the refuge public use 

brochure. 

(xii) We allow incidental take of 

beaver, coyote, and nutria during any 

refuge hunt with the weapons legal for 

that hunt, subject to applicable State 

seasons and regulations. 

(xiii) During refuge-wide quota 

muzzleloader and quota gun deer hunts, 

we close the refuge to all non-quota 

hunting. 

(xiv) All youth hunters age 15 and 

younger must remain within sight and 

normal voice contact of an adult age 21 

or older who possesses a valid State 

hunting license. One adult may 

supervise no more than two youth 

hunters. 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of squirrel, rabbit, and all 

furbearers (as governed by State law), 

and the incidental take of beaver, 

coyote, and nutria, on designated areas 

of the refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (d)(1)(i), and (xi) through 

(xiv) of this section apply. 

(ii) We allow hunting of rabbit and 

squirrel on the North Unit from 

September 1 through January 31. 

(iii) On the North Unit only, we allow 

the use of dogs when hunting rabbit and 

squirrel from December 1 through 

January 31. 

(iv) We allow rabbit and squirrel 

hunting on the South Unit from 

September 1 through November 30. 

(v) We allow furbearer hunting. The 

annual public use brochure provides 

season dates and methods. 

(vi) We allow the use of dogs for 

hunting furbearers from legal sunset to 

legal sunrise. Hunters must tether or 

pen all dogs used for furbearer hunting 

from legal sunrise to legal sunset and at 

any time they are not involved in actual 

hunting. 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow the 

hunting of white-tailed deer and turkey, 

and the incidental take of feral hog, on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (d)(1)(i), (ix), and (xi) 

through (xiii) of this section apply. 

(ii) Archery deer seasons on the North 

Unit are from October 1 through January 

31, except during quota muzzleloader 

and quota gun deer hunts, when the 

archery season is closed. 

(iii) Archery deer seasons on the 

South Unit are from October 1 through 

December 31, except during quota 

muzzleloader and quota gun deer hunts, 

when the archery season is closed. 

(iv) Muzzleloader season for deer will 

begin in October and will continue for 

a period of up to 3 days of quota 

hunting in the North and South Units, 

and no more than 4 days of non-quota 

hunting in the North Unit. 

(v) The gun deer hunt will begin in 

November and will continue for a 

period of no more than 3 days of quota 

hunting in the North and South Units, 

and no more than 2 days of non-quota 

hunting in the North Unit. 

(vi) We restrict hunt participants for 

quota hunts to those drawn for a quota 

permit (FWS Form 3–2439). The permits 

are nontransferable and nonrefundable. 

(vii) Hunters may only take feral hog 

incidental to deer season dates 

identified in the refuge public use 

brochure. 

(viii) We prohibit organized deer 

drives. We define a ‘‘deer drive’’ as an 

organized or planned effort to pursue, 

drive, chase, or otherwise frighten or 

cause deer to move in the direction of 

any person(s) who is part of the 

organized or planned hunt and known 

to be waiting for the deer. 

(ix) We prohibit firearm deer hunting 

from or across roads, ATV trails, levees, 

and maintained utility rights-of-way. 

(x) You may only use portable deer 

stands and ground blinds. You may 

erect stands or blinds up to 7 days 

before each hunt, but you must remove 

them within 7 days after each hunt (see 

§ 27.93 of this chapter). All unattended 

deer stands and blinds on the refuge 

must have the owner’s State hunting 

license number clearly displayed. 

(xi) We close the Kansas Lake Area to 

all entry on December 1 and reopen it 

on March 1. 

(xii) We prohibit the possession of 

buckshot on the refuge. 

(xiii) An adult age 21 or older 

possessing a valid hunting license must 

accompany and be within sight and 

normal voice contact of hunters age 15 

and younger. One adult may supervise 

no more than one youth hunter. 

(xiv) The annual refuge public use 

brochure provides season dates and 

methods for turkey hunting. 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport 

fishing, frogging, and crawfishing on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (d)(1)(i) and (ix) of this 

section apply. 

(ii) We allow sport fishing in refugeowned waters as follows: 

(A) We allow fishing year-round in: 

(1) Big Island Chute, LaGrue, Essex, 

Prairie, Scrubgrass, and Brooks Bayous; 

(2) Moon and Belknap Lakes next to 

Arkansas Highway 1; 

(3) Indian Bay; 

(4) Arkansas Post Canal and adjacent 

drainage ditches; 

(5) Borrow ditches located adjacent to 

the west bank of that portion of the 

White River Levee north of the Graham 

Burke pumping station; and 

(6) All waters in the refuge-owned 

North Unit and scattered tracts. 

(B) We open all other South Unit 

refuge waters to sport fishing from 

March 1 through November 30, unless 

posted otherwise. 

(iii) We allow frogging on all refugeowned waters open for sport fishing as 

follows: 

(A) We allow frogging on the South 

Unit from the beginning of the State 

season through November 30. 

(B) We allow frogging on the North 

Unit for the entire State season. 

(iv) We prohibit all commercial and 

recreational harvest of turtle on all 

property administered by Dale Bumpers 

White River National Wildlife Refuge 

(see § 27.21 of this chapter). 

(v) We prohibit take or possession of 

any freshwater mussel (see § 27.21 of 

this chapter), and we prohibit the 

shelling of mussels on the refuge. 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 48855 

(vi) Boats (16 feet or less) displaying 

valid registration or Arkansas Game and 

Fish Commission’s license customer 

identification number may be left on the 

refuge from March 1 through October 

31. 

(e) Felsenthal National Wildlife 

Refuge—(1) Migratory game bird 

hunting. We allow hunting of American 

woodcock, duck, light and dark goose, 

merganser, and coot on designated areas 

of the refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) Hunters and anglers must possess 

and carry a signed refuge public use 

brochure while hunting or fishing. 

(ii) Waterfowl hunters may enter the 

refuge beginning at 4 a.m. We allow 

waterfowl hunting until 12 p.m. (noon). 

(iii) Hunters must remove decoys, 

blinds, boats, and all other equipment 

by 1 p.m. each day (see § 27.93 of this 

chapter). 

(iv) We close areas of the refuge 

posted with ‘‘Area Closed’’ signs and 

identify them on the refuge public use 

brochure map as a waterfowl sanctuary. 

We close waterfowl sanctuaries to all 

public entry and public use from 

November 15 to February 15. 

(v) We allow hunting of duck, light 

and dark goose, merganser, and coot 

during the State waterfowl season 

except during scheduled refuge quota 

gun deer hunts. 

(vi) We allow American woodcock 

hunting during the State season except 

during scheduled refuge quota hunts. 

Woodcock hunters may enter the refuge 

beginning at 4 a.m. and must exit by 1 

hour after legal sunset. 

(vii) All youth hunters age 15 and 

younger must remain within sight and 

normal voice contact of an adult age 21 

or older who possesses a valid State 

hunting license. One adult may 

supervise no more than two youth 

hunters. 

(viii) We allow only all-terrain 

vehicles/utility-type vehicles (ATVs/ 

UTVs) for hunting and fishing activities 

according to regulations provided in the 

refuge public use brochure. 

(ix) You may use bikes, horses, and 

mules on roads and ATV/UTV trails 

(when open to motor vehicle and ATV/ 

UTV traffic, respectively) as a mode of 

transportation for hunting and fishing 

activities on the refuge except during 

the quota deer hunts. 

(x) We prohibit hunting within 150 

feet (45 meters) of roads, pipelines, and 

trails open to motor vehicle use 

(including ATV/UTV trails). 

(xi) We allow the incidental take of 

beaver, nutria, and coyote during any 

daytime refuge hunt with weapons and 

ammunition allowed for that hunt. 

There is no bag limit. 

(xii) We allow the use of dogs when 

hunting. 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of quail, squirrel, rabbit, 

raccoon, and opossum (as governed by 

State law), and incidental take of beaver, 

nutria, and coyote, on designated areas 

of the refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (e)(1)(i), (iv), and (vii) 

through (xi) of this section apply. 

(ii) We allow hunting for quail, 

squirrel, rabbit, raccoon, and opossum 

on the refuge during State seasons 

through January 31. We close upland 

game hunting during refuge quota gun 

deer hunts. 

(iii) We do not open for the spring 

squirrel hunting season, or for the 

summer/early fall raccoon hunting 

season. 

(iv) We allow the use of dogs for 

squirrel and rabbit hunting from 

December 1 through January 31, and for 

quail and raccoon/opossum hunting 

during the open season on the refuge for 

these species. 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of white-tailed deer and turkey, 

and incidental take of feral hog, on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (e)(1)(i), (iv), and (viii) 

through (xi) of this section apply. 

(ii) We allow archery deer hunting on 

the refuge from the opening of the State 

season through January 31, except 

during refuge deer quota hunts. 

(iii) We allow muzzleloader and 

modern gun deer hunting during 

designated times and seasons, within 

specified State seasons as listed in the 

refuge public use brochure. 

(iv) Total deer harvested refuge-wide 

is two deer (two does, or one buck and 

one doe, as governed by State law) 

regardless of method. A doe must be 

harvested before a buck. 

(v) We prohibit buckshot for modern 

gun deer hunting. 

(vi) You may only use portable deer 

stands erected no earlier than the 

opening day of archery season, and you 

must remove them no later than January 

31 each year (see § 27.93 of this 

chapter). 

(vii) We prohibit the use of deer 

decoy(s). 

(viii) Turkey hunting (Archery, Youth, 

and Quota) will be conducted during 

designated times and seasons, within 

specified State seasons as listed in the 

refuge public use brochure. 

(ix) We restrict quota hunt 

participants to those selected for a quota 

permit (FWS Form 3–2439), except that 

one nonhunting adult age 21 or older 

possessing a valid hunting license must 

accompany the youth hunter age 15 and 

younger. 

(x) An adult age 21 or older 

possessing a valid hunting license must 

accompany and be within sight and 

normal voice contact of hunters age 15 

and younger. One adult may supervise 

no more than one youth hunter. 

(xi) We allow the use of one tree stand 

or ground blind, and one game camera, 

on the refuge if the owner’s State 

hunting license number is clearly 

written on them in a conspicuous 

location. 

(xii) We restrict hunt participants for 

quota hunts to those drawn for a quota 

permit (FWS Form 3–2439). These 

permits are nontransferable, and the 

permit fees are nonrefundable. 

(xiii) The incidental taking of feral 

hogs will be governed by Arkansas 

Game and Fish Commission regulations 

concerning the taking of feral hogs on 

State Wildlife Management Areas 

(WMAs). Subject to State regulations, 

we allow incidental take of feral hogs 

during daytime refuge deer quota hunts 

(without the use of dogs) and during a 

specified period during archery deer 

hunting with legal hunting equipment 

and ammunition allowed for those 

hunts according to the season dates 

provided in the refuge public use 

brochure. There is no bag limit. 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport 

fishing, frogging, and crawfishing on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (e)(1)(i), (iii), (iv), (viii), and 

(ix) of this section apply. 

(ii) We prohibit fishing in the 

waterfowl sanctuary area when the 

sanctuary is closed, with the exception 

of the main channel of the Ouachita and 

Saline Rivers and the borrow pits along 

Highway 82. We post the waterfowl 

sanctuary area with ‘‘Area Closed’’ signs 

and identify those areas in refuge hunt 

brochures. 

(iii) During the refuge quota gun deer 

hunts, we allow fishing only in areas 

accessible from the Ouachita and Saline 

Rivers and from Eagle, Jones, and 

Pereogeethe Lakes. 

(iv) You must move or remove 

trotlines when receding water levels 

expose them. 

(v) We allow frogging and crawfishing 

for personal use only during designated 

times and seasons, within specified 

State seasons as listed in the refuge 

public use brochure. 

(vi) We prohibit the take or possession 

of turtles and/or mollusks (see § 27.21 of 

this chapter). 

(f) Holla Bend National Wildlife 

Refuge. (1) [Reserved] 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
48856 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of squirrel, rabbit, quail, 

raccoon, opossum, beaver, muskrat, 

nutria, river otter, mink, fox, striped 

skunk, coyote, and bobcat on designated 

areas of the refuge subject to the 

following conditions: 

(i) We require a signed refuge hunting 

permit (FWS Form 3–2439). Anyone on 

the refuge in possession of hunting 

equipment must sign and possess the 

permit (FWS Form 3–2439) at all times. 

(ii) We allow squirrel, rabbit, raccoon, 

opossum, and quail hunting according 

to season dates and bag limits provided 

in the annual refuge public use 

brochure. 

(iii) We only allow use of all-terrain 

vehicles (ATVs) by hunters and anglers 

with mobility impairments, and the 

refuge manager must authorize this use 

in writing. 

(iv) Hunters and anglers may use 

boats in designated areas and at times 

provided in the annual refuge public 

use brochure. 

(v) All hunters age 11 and younger 

who possess valid hunter education 

certification must remain within normal 

sight and voice contact with an adult 

age 18 or older who possesses a valid 

State hunting license. Hunters age 15 

and younger who have not completed 

hunter education must be under the 

direct supervision (within arm’s reach) 

of an adult age 21 or older who 

possesses a valid State hunting license. 

One adult may supervise up to two 

youth hunters for upland game hunting, 

but may supervise only one youth 

during big game hunting. 

(vi) During the quota youth gun deer 

and turkey hunts, we close the refuge to 

all other hunting and public entry. 

(vii) We allow incidental take of 

beaver, muskrat, nutria, river otter, 

mink, bobcat, fox, striped skunk, and 

coyote during any refuge hunt with the 

weapons legal for that hunt, subject to 

applicable State seasons and 

regulations. 

(viii) Hunters and anglers may use 

bicycles and e-bikes only on public use 

roads and designated trails not closed 

by a locked gate, other barrier, or 

signage. 

(ix) During the mentored youth 

squirrel and rabbit hunts, the mentoring 

adult may supervise up to two hunting 

youths. Youth hunters may only use 

shotguns, rifles and handguns 

chambered for rimfire cartridges, air 

rifles, and archery tackle. We prohibit 

adults from hunting during mentored 

hunts. 

(x) Hunters must enter and exit the 

refuge from designated roads and 

parking lots only. 

(xi) We limit raccoon and opossum 

hunting to nighttime hunting only. 

(xii) Hunter and anglers may not leave 

motor vehicles, bicycles, e-bikes, or 

boats unattended overnight on the 

refuge. 

(xiii) We prohibit hunting from a 

vehicle. 

(xiv) We prohibit the use of personal 

watercraft (e.g., jet skis), airboats, and 

hovercraft for hunting and fishing on 

the refuge. 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of deer, black bear, and turkey 

on designated areas of the refuge subject 

to the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (f)(2)(i), (iii) through (viii), 

(x), and (xii) through (xiv) of this section 

apply. 

(ii) We allow archery/crossbow 

hunting for white-tailed deer and turkey 

according to season dates and bag limits 

provided in the annual refuge public 

use brochure. 

(iii) Youth modern gun deer hunts 

will be conducted according to season 

dates and bag limits provided in the 

refuge public use brochure. 

(iv) We allow the take of black bear 

incidental to refuge archery and modern 

gun deer hunts subject to applicable 

State seasons and regulations. 

(v) The refuge will conduct youthonly quota spring gun turkey hunts 

according to season dates and bag limits 

provided in the refuge public use 

brochure. 

(vi) You may erect portable stands or 

blinds 7 days before the start of the 

season, and you must remove them from 

the refuge within 7 days after the season 

ends (see § 27.93 of this chapter). 

(vii) We prohibit leaving any tree 

stand, blind, or game camera on the 

refuge without the owner’s Arkansas 

Game and Fish Commission customer 

identification number clearly written on 

it in a conspicuous location. 

(viii) We prohibit organized drives. 

We define a ‘‘drive’’ as an organized or 

planned effort to pursue, drive, chase, or 

otherwise frighten or cause game to 

move in the direction of any person(s) 

who is part of the organized or planned 

hunt and known to be waiting for the 

game. 

(ix) You must check all harvested 

turkey, bear, and deer at the refuge 

check station. 

(x) We prohibit the use of dogs for 

deer hunting. 

(xi) Big game hunters may enter the 

refuge 1 hour before legal sunrise and 

must exit by 1 hour after legal sunset. 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport 

fishing, frogging, and crawfishing on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (f)(2)(iii), (iv), (vi), (viii), 

(xii), and (xiv) of this section apply. 

(ii) We allow fishing, frogging, and 

crawfishing on all waters only from 

March 1 through October 31 from legal 

sunrise to legal sunset. 

(iii) Anglers must remove boats from 

the refuge at the end of each day’s 

fishing activity (see § 27.93 of this 

chapter). 

(iv) We prohibit the take or possession 

of turtles and/or mollusks (see § 27.21 of 

this chapter). 

(v) We allow frogging and crawfishing 

for personal use only. All crawfish traps 

must have the owner’s Arkansas Game 

and Fish Commission license customer 

identification number permanently 

affixed. 

(vi) We prohibit access to refuge 

waters and land from the Arkansas 

River. 

(vii) We limit trotlines, setline, 

limblines, yo-yo and free-floating 

fishing devices to 20 per person; any 

line that extends into the water must be 

cotton. 

(viii) Trotlines, setlines, limblines, yoyos, and free-floating fishing devices 

must be clearly labelled with the 

angler’s Arkansas Game and Fish 

Commission license customer 

identification number, and cannot be 

left overnight or unattended. 

* * * * * 

(i) Wapanocca National Wildlife 

Refuge. (1) [Reserved] 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of squirrel, rabbit, raccoon, 

nutria, beaver, coyote, quail, muskrat, 

river otter, mink, bobcat, fox, striped 

skunk, and opossum on designated 

areas of the refuge subject to the 

following conditions: 

(i) We require a signed refuge hunting 

permit (FWS Form 3–2439). Anyone on 

the refuge in possession of hunting 

equipment must sign and possess the 

permit (FWS Form 3–2439) at all times. 

(ii) Hunters may enter the refuge at 4 

a.m. and must leave the refuge no later 

than 1 hour after legal sunset, except 

that we allow hunting of raccoon and 

opossum at night on the refuge. 

(iii) During the quota gun hunts, we 

close the refuge to all other hunts and 

public entry. 

(iv) We allow squirrel, rabbit, raccoon, 

opossum, and quail hunting according 

to season dates and bag limits provided 

in the annual refuge public use 

brochure. 

(v) We allow the incidental take of 

nutria, beaver, muskrat, river otter, 

mink, bobcat, fox, striped skunk, and 

coyote during any refuge hunt with the 

weapons allowed for that hunt, subject 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 48857 

to applicable State seasons and 

regulations. 

(vi) Hunters may use only shotguns, 

rifles and handguns chambered for 

rimfire cartridges, air rifles, and archery 

tackle. 

(vii) We prohibit hunting from mowed 

and/or gravel road rights-of-way. 

(viii) All hunters age 11 and younger 

who possess valid hunter education 

certification must remain within normal 

sight and voice contact with an adult 

age 18 or older who possesses a valid 

State hunting license. Hunters age 15 

and younger who have not completed 

hunter education must be under the 

direct supervision (within arm’s reach) 

of an adult age 21 or older who 

possesses a valid State hunting license. 

One adult may supervise up to two 

youth hunters for upland game hunting, 

but may supervise only one youth 

during big game hunting. 

(ix) From December 1 to February 28, 

we close all waterfowl sanctuaries 

(including Wapanocca Lake) to all 

hunting and public entry. 

(x) We prohibit the use of all-terrain 

vehicles (ATVs), except that ATVs may 

be used by mobility-impaired hunters 

possessing written authorization issued 

by the refuge manager. 

(xi) Hunters and anglers may use 

motor vehicles, bicycles, and e-bikes 

only on public use roads not closed by 

a locked gate, other barrier, or signage. 

(xii) Hunters and anglers must use the 

public boat ramp on Highway 77 to 

launch motorized boats into Wapanocca 

Lake. 

(xiii) Hunters and anglers must 

operate boats at speeds of less than 5 

miles per hour between the Highway 77 

boat launch and the open lake. 

(xiv) We prohibit the use of personal 

watercraft (e.g., jet skis), airboats, and 

hovercraft for hunting and fishing on 

the refuge. 

(xv) Hunter and anglers may not leave 

motor vehicles, bicycles, e-bikes, or 

boats unattended overnight on the 

refuge. 

(xvi) We prohibit hunting from a 

vehicle. 

(xvii) The Round Pond and Pygmon 

Units in St. Francis County are subject 

to all regulations for hunting and fishing 

for Wapanocca NWR. 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of white-tailed deer and turkey, 

and incidental take of feral hog, on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (i)(2)(i) through (iii), (v), and 

(vii) through (xvii) of this section apply. 

(ii) During the quota gun deer hunts, 

we allow only hunters possessing a 

valid quota gun deer hunting permit 

(FWS Form 3–2439) on the refuge and 

only for the purposes of deer hunting 

and the incidental take of allowable 

species. 

(iii) You may erect portable stands or 

blinds 7 days prior to the refuge deer 

season, and you must remove them from 

the waterfowl sanctuaries by December 

1 (see § 27.93 of this chapter). You must 

remove all stands and blinds on the 

remainder of the refuge within 7 days of 

the closure of archery season (see 

§ 27.93 of this chapter). 

(iv) We allow portable tree stands, 

blinds, and game cameras on the refuge 

only if the owner’s Arkansas Game and 

Fish Commission customer 

identification number is clearly written 

on them in a conspicuous location. 

(v) We allow archery/crossbow, 

muzzleloader, and modern gun deer 

hunting according to season dates and 

bag limits provided in the annual refuge 

public use brochure. 

(vi) Hunters may only use shotguns 

with slugs, muzzleloaders, handguns 

with barrel lengths longer than 4 inches, 

large-bore air rifles, and archery/ 

crossbow tackle for modern gun deer 

hunting. 

(vii) Hunters may only take feral hog 

incidental to modern gun and 

muzzleloader deer hunts and during a 

specified period during archery deer 

hunting according to season dates 

provided in the annual refuge public 

use brochure. 

(viii) The annual refuge public use 

brochure provides season dates and bag 

limits for turkey hunting. 

(ix) We prohibit the possession or use 

of lead shot or buckshot for deer 

hunting. We allow lead shot for turkey 

hunting. 

(x) We prohibit the use of dogs for 

deer hunting. 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport 

fishing, frogging, and crawfishing on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (i)(2)(iii), (ix), (x) through 

(xv), and (xvii), and (i)(3)(ii) of this 

section apply. 

(ii) From March 1 through November 

30, we allow fishing, frogging, and 

crawfishing on all refuge waters. From 

December 1 through February 28, we 

allow bank fishing only on Woody Pond 

and other non-waterfowl sanctuary 

areas. 

(iii) Anglers, including those frogging 

and crawfishing, may enter the refuge at 

4 a.m. and must leave the refuge no later 

than 1 hour after legal sunset. 

(iv) We prohibit the take or possession 

of turtles and/or mollusks (see § 27.21 of 

this chapter). 

(v) Anglers may launch boats only in 

designated areas. 

(vi) We allow fishing, frogging, and 

crawfishing for personal use only. All 

crawfish traps must have the owner’s 

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission 

license customer identification number 

permanently affixed. 

(vii) We prohibit tournament fishing. 

* * * * * 

■ 6. Amend § 32.24 by: 

■ a. In paragraph (e)(1)(ii), in the first 

sentence, removing the word ‘‘A8N’’ 

and adding in its place the word ‘‘A8’’; 

and 

■ b. Revising paragraphs (e)(1)(vii) and 

(i)(1) introductory text to read as 

follows: 

§ 32.24 California. 

* * * * * 

(e) * * * 

(1) * * * 

(vii) You may not possess more than 

25 shot shells while in the field once 

you have left your assigned parking lot 

for Ponds AB1, A2E, AB2, A3N, A3W, 

A5, A7, and A8, and the Ravenswood 

Unit. 

* * * * * 

(i) * * * 

(1) Migratory game bird hunting. We 

allow hunting of goose, duck, coot, 

snipe, and moorhen on designated areas 

of the refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

* * * * * 

■ 7. Amend § 32.27 by revising 

paragraphs (a)(1)(ii) and (b)(1)(ii) to read 

as follows: 

§ 32.27 Delaware. 

* * * * * 

(a) * * * 

(1) * * * 

(ii) You must complete and return a 

Harvest Report (FWS Form 3–2542), 

available at the refuge administration 

office or on the refuge’s website, within 

15 days of the close of the season. 

* * * * * 

(b) * * * 

(1) * * * 

(ii) You must complete and return a 

Harvest Report (FWS Form 3–2542), 

available at the refuge administration 

office or on the refuge’s website, within 

15 days of the close of the season. 

* * * * * 

■ 8. Amend § 32.28 by: 

■ a. Revising paragraphs (e)(1) through 

(3); 

■ b. Redesignating paragraphs (f) 

through (o) as paragraphs (g) through 

(p); 

■ c. Adding a new paragraph (f); and 

■ d. Revising newly redesignated 

paragraphs (j)(2)(i), (j)(3)(i), (j)(3)(vii), 

(k)(1)(x), (n)(3)(ii), (iv), and (viii). 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
48858 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

The revisions and addition read as 

follows: 

§ 32.28 Florida. 

* * * * * 

(e) * * * (1) Migratory game bird 

hunting. We allow hunting of migratory 

game birds and the incidental take of 

nonnative wildlife as defined by the 

State on designated areas of the refuge 

in accordance with State regulations 

and applicable State Wildlife 

Management Area regulations. 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

upland game hunting and the incidental 

take of nonnative wildlife as defined by 

the State on designated areas of the 

refuge in accordance with State 

regulations and applicable State 

Wildlife Management Area regulations. 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow big 

game hunting and the incidental take of 

nonnative wildlife as defined by the 

State on designated areas of the refuge 

in accordance with State regulations 

and applicable State Wildlife 

Management Area regulations. 

* * * * * 

(f) Florida Panther National Wildlife 

Refuge. (1)–(2) [Reserved] 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of turkey on designated areas of 

the refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) We require a valid Florida Panther 

National Wildlife Refuge Big Game 

Quota Hunt Permit purchased through 

the Florida Fish and Wildlife 

Conservation Commission. The quota 

hunt permit is a limited entry quota 

permit, and is nontransferable. 

(ii) You must have a valid signed 

Florida Panther NWR turkey hunt 

brochure, which is free and nontransferrable. 

(iii) Each Big Game Quota Hunt 

Permit is issued for the take of 1 

bearded turkey. A family hunt/camp 

experience permit is issued for take of 

2 bearded turkeys. 

(iv) We allow bows, crossbows, PCP 

air guns propelling a bolt or arrow, and 

shotguns using #2 or smaller shot size. 

(v) We require an adult, age 18 or 

older, to supervise hunters age 15 and 

younger. The adult must remain within 

sight and normal voice contact of the 

youth hunter. 

(vi) Hunters possessing a valid Big 

Game Quota Hunt Permit purchased 

through the Florida Fish and Wildlife 

Conservation Commission may access 

the refuge no earlier than 2 hours before 

legal sunrise and must leave the refuge 

no later than legal sunset. Hunters 

possessing a valid family hunt/camp 

experience permit may remain on the 

refuge overnight. 

(vii) We allow hunting from 1⁄2 hour 

before legal sunrise until 1 p.m. 

(viii) We allow only federally 

approved nontoxic shot (see § 32.2(k)). 

(ix) We only allow permitted hunters 

participating in the limited entry quota 

hunt to operate off-road vehicles 

(swamp buggies, all-terrain/utility-type 

vehicles) on designated roads, trails, 

and firebreaks. 

(x) We allow hunters with permits to 

scout 7 days prior to the individual’s 

permitted hunt. 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow fishing on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) We allow fishing from legal sunrise 

to legal sunset. 

(ii) We only allow hook and line. We 

prohibit snatch hooks, cast nets, seines, 

trotlines, jugs, and yo-yos. 

* * * * * 

(j) * * * 

(2) * * * 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (j)(1)(i) through (viii) of this 

section apply. 

* * * * * 

(3) * * * 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (j)(1)(i) through (viii) of this 

section apply. 

* * * * * 

(vii) Hunters must fill out a Harvest 

Report (FWS Form 3–2542) and check 

all game harvested during all deer and 

hog hunts. 

* * * * * 

(k) * * * 

(1) * * * 

(x) You must stop at a posted refuge 

waterfowl check station and report 

statistical hunt information on the 

Harvest Report (FWS Form 3–2542) to 

refuge personnel. 

* * * * * 

(n) * * * 

(3) * * * 

(ii) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (n)(2)(ii) and (iv) through 

(vii) of this section apply. 

* * * * * 

(iv) There is a two deer limit per hunt, 

as specified at paragraph (n)(3)(vi) of 

this section, except during the youth 

hunt, when the limit is as specified at 

paragraph (n)(3)(vii) of this section. The 

limit for turkey is one per hunt. 

* * * * * 

(viii) Mobility-impaired hunters may 

have an assistant accompany them. You 

may transfer permits (State-issued 

permit) issued to the hunter to 

assistants. We limit those hunt teams to 

harvesting white-tailed deer and feral 

hog within the limits provided at 

paragraph (n)(3)(vi) of this section. 

* * * * * 

■ 9. Amend § 32.29 by revising 

paragraph (e)(3) to read as follows: 

§ 32.29 Georgia. 

* * * * * 

(e) * * * 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of white-tailed deer and turkey, 

and the incidental take of coyote, 

armadillo, and feral hog, on designated 

areas of the refuge subject to the 

following conditions: 

(i) We require a signed refuge hunt 

permit (FWS Form 3–2439) for all 

hunters age 16 and older. Hunters must 

sign the permit and carry it with them 

at all times when hunting. 

(ii) Each hunter may place one stand 

on the refuge during the week preceding 

each hunt, but must remove the stand 

by the end of each hunt (see § 27.93 of 

this chapter). 

(iii) We prohibit hunting within 100 

yards (91 meters) of Harris Neck Road, 

the refuge entrance drive, Visitor 

Contact Station/Office, Barbour River 

Landing, Barbour River Road, or Gould’s 

Cemetery. 

(iv) We require hunters to check-in 

and check-out each hunt day. We 

require personal identification to checkin and check-out. 

(v) We require hunters to check all 

harvested game at the check station 

before leaving the refuge each day. 

(vi) Hunters may take five deer (no 

more than two antlered), and we will 

issue State bonus tags for two of these. 

(vii) During the gun hunt, we allow 

only shotguns (20 gauge or larger), 

muzzleloaders, bows, air rifles (.30 

caliber or larger), and air bows, as 

governed by State regulations. We 

prohibit the use of centerfire rifles. 

(viii) We allow the incidental take of 

armadillo, feral hog, and coyote during 

any refuge hunt with the weapons legal 

for that hunt, subject to applicable State 

seasons and regulations. There is no bag 

limit for these species. 

(ix) The turkey hunt is a youth-only, 

archery hunt limited to 2 days per year. 

To participate in the turkey hunt, youth 

must complete an application (FWS 

Form 3–2439), submit the completed 

application to the refuge, and be 

selected by lottery. Each youth hunter 

selected by lottery to participate in the 

turkey hunt must possess a free signed 

refuge hunt brochure while hunting. 

* * * * * 

■ 10. Amend § 32.31 by: 

■ a. Revising paragraphs (b)(1) and (2); 

■ b. Adding paragraph (b)(3); and 

■ c. Revising paragraph (e)(4). 

The revisions and addition read as 

follows: 

§ 32.31 Idaho. 

* * * * * 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 48859 

(b) * * * (1) Migratory game bird 

hunting. We allow hunting of duck, 

goose, coot, snipe, and dove on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) We allow hunters to access the 

refuge 1 hour before legal shooting time. 

(ii) You may only use portable blinds 

or construct temporary blinds of natural 

vegetation. Blinds will be available for 

general use on a first-come, first-served 

basis. You must remove portable blinds, 

decoys, and other personal property at 

the end of each day’s hunt (see § 27.93 

of this chapter). 

(iii) We allow the use of dogs when 

hunting. 

(iv) You may take Eurasian collareddoves only during the State seasons for 

migratory birds and upland game birds. 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of pheasant, grouse, and 

partridge on designated areas of the 

refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) The condition set forth at 

paragraph (b)(1)(iii) of this section 

applies. 

(ii) We allow hunters to access the 

refuge 1⁄2 hour before legal shooting 

time. 

(iii) Hunters must wear a minimum of 

36 square inches (232.3 square 

centimeters) of blaze orange, and a blaze 

orange head covering. 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of elk on designated areas of the 

refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (b)(2)(ii) and (iii) of this 

section apply. 

(ii) You must carry a signed copy of 

the refuge hunting regulations and hunt 

map (signed brochure) in the field while 

hunting. 

* * * * * 

(e) * * * 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport 

fishing on designated areas of the refuge 

subject to the following conditions: 

(i) We allow bank fishing only. 

(ii) We prohibit launching boats from, 

and landing boats on, the banks of Deep 

Creek. 

* * * * * 

■ 11. Amend § 32.32 by: 

■ a. Revising paragraph (b)(4); 

■ b. Removing paragraph (c)(1)(ii); 

■ c. Redesignating paragraph (c)(1)(iii) 

as paragraph (c)(1)(ii); 

■ d. Revising paragraph (c)(2)(i); 

■ e. Removing paragraphs (c)(4)(i), (v), 

and (vi); 

■ f. Redesignating paragraphs (c)(4)(ii) 

through (iv) as paragraphs (c)(4)(i) 

through (iii); and 

■ g. Revising paragraphs (f)(1) through 

(3), (g)(2)(ii), (g)(3), (k)(2)(v), and 

(k)(3)(i). 

The revisions read as follows: 

§ 32.32 Illinois. 

* * * * * 

(b) * * * 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport 

fishing on designated areas of the refuge 

subject to the following conditions: 

(i) On Crab Orchard Lake west of Wolf 

Creek Road: 

(A) Anglers may fish from boats all 

year. 

(B) Anglers must remove all trotlines/ 

jugs from legal sunrise until legal sunset 

from the Friday immediately prior to 

Memorial Day through Labor Day. 

(ii) On Crab Orchard Lake east of Wolf 

Creek Road: 

(A) Anglers may fish from boats 

March 1 through October 15. 

(B) Anglers may fish all year at the 

Wolf Creek and Route 148 causeways. 

(iii) On A–41 and Bluegill Ponds: 

(A) Anglers may fish only from legal 

sunrise to legal sunset from March 1 

through October 15. 

(B) We prohibit anglers from using 

gas-powered boats. 

(iv) On Managers, Honkers, and 

Visitors Ponds: 

(A) Anglers may fish all year from 

legal sunrise to legal sunset. 

(B) We prohibit anglers from using 

gas-powered boats. 

(v) Trotlines/jugs: 

(A) We prohibit the use of trotlines/ 

jugs on all refuge waters outside of Crab 

Orchard Lake. 

(B) We prohibit the use of trotlines/ 

jugs with any flotation device that has 

previously contained any petroleumbased material or toxic substances. 

(C) Anglers must attach a buoyed 

device that is visible on the water’s 

surface to all trotlines. 

(vi) Anglers may use all legal 

noncommercial fishing methods, except 

they may not use any underwater 

breathing apparatus. 

(vii) Anglers may not submerge any 

poles or similar objects to take or locate 

any fish. 

(viii) Organizers of all fishing events 

must possess a Special Use Permit (FWS 

Form 3–1383–G or FWS Form 3–1383– 

C). 

(ix) We prohibit anglers from fishing 

within 250 yards (228 meters) of an 

occupied waterfowl hunting blind. 

(x) Specific creel and size limits apply 

on various refuge waters as listed in the 

Crab Orchard fishing brochure and the 

annual Illinois fishing digest. 

(c) * * * 

(2) * * * 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (c)(1)(i) and (ii) of this 

section apply. 

* * * * * 

(f) * * * (1) Migratory game bird 

hunting. We allow hunting of migratory 

game birds on designated areas of the 

refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) You must remove personal 

belongings, including, but not limited 

to, all boats, decoys, blinds, blind 

materials, stands, and platforms brought 

onto the refuge at the end of each day’s 

hunt (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this 

chapter). 

(ii) Hunters may enter the refuge no 

earlier than 1⁄2 hour before legal 

shooting hours and must exit the refuge 

no later than 1⁄2 hour after legal shooting 

hours. 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

upland game and turkey hunting on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (f)(1)(i) and (ii) of this 

section apply. 

(ii) For hunting, you may use or 

possess only approved nontoxic shot 

shells while in the field, including shot 

shells used for hunting wild turkey (see 

§ 32.2(k)). 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow big 

game hunting on designated areas of the 

refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (f)(1)(i) and (ii) of this 

section apply. 

(ii) We prohibit organized deer drives. 

We define a ‘‘deer drive’’ as an 

organized or planned effort to pursue, 

drive, chase, or otherwise frighten or 

cause deer to move in the direction of 

any person(s) who is part of the 

organized or planned hunt and known 

to be waiting for the deer. 

* * * * * 

(g) * * * 

(2) * * * 

(ii) You must remove personal 

belongings, including, but not limited 

to, all boats, decoys, blinds, blind 

materials, stands, platforms, and other 

hunting equipment brought onto the 

refuge at the end of each day’s hunt (see 

§§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter). 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of white-tailed deer on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) The condition set forth at 

paragraph (g)(2)(ii) of this section 

applies. 

(ii) We prohibit organized deer drives. 

We define a ‘‘deer drive’’ as an 

organized or planned effort to pursue, 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
48860 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

drive, chase, or otherwise frighten or 

cause deer to move in the direction of 

any person(s) who is part of the 

organized or planned hunt and known 

to be waiting for the deer. 

* * * * * 

(k) * * * 

(2) * * * 

(v) Hunters may only hunt from 1⁄2

hour before legal sunrise to no later than 

1⁄2 hour after legal sunset, and they must 

follow all State requirements for legal 

hunting hours. 

(3) * * * 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (k)(1)(i) and (k)(2)(v) of this 

section apply. 

* * * * * 

■ 12. Amend § 32.37 by revising 

paragraphs (c), (d), (e), (g), (i)(1)(iv), 

(i)(3)(iii), (j), (m), (o)(1)(iv), (o)(3)(v), (q), 

(r), (s)(1)(iv), (t), and (u) to read as 

follows: 

§ 32.37 Louisiana. 

* * * * * 

(c) Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife 

Refuge—(1) Migratory game bird 

hunting. We allow hunting of duck, 

merganser, teal, light and dark goose, 

coot, gallinule, rail, snipe, and dove on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) Hunters and anglers must possess 

and carry a valid, signed refuge hunting 

and fishing brochure. 

(ii) We only allow youth to hunt 

migratory game birds. 

(iii) All youth hunters age 15 and 

younger must be supervised by an adult 

during hunts. The youth must be 

capable of and must actively participate 

in the hunt by possessing and/or firing 

a legal weapon during the hunt for the 

express purpose of harvesting game. 

(iv) One adult may supervise up to 

two youths during upland game hunts 

and migratory bird hunts, but may 

supervise only one youth during big 

game hunts. The supervising adult must 

maintain visual and voice contact with 

the youth at all times. 

(v) Adults accompanying youth on 

any refuge hunts may participate by 

hunting (except during the State youthonly seasons), but are not allowed to 

harvest more than their own daily bag 

limit (see § 20.24 of this chapter). Youth 

must harvest their own bag limits. 

(vi) We allow migratory bird hunting 

on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, 

and Sundays from 1⁄2 hour before legal 

sunrise until 2 p.m. 

(vii) We open the refuge to goose 

youth hunting during any segment of 

goose season that extends beyond the 

regular duck season. 

(viii) Migratory bird hunters may not 

enter the refuge prior to 4 a.m. on the 

day of the hunt and must remove all 

portable blinds and decoys (see § 27.93 

of this chapter) no later than 2 p.m. 

(ix) We prohibit hunting within 500 

feet (152 meters (m)) of any residence or 

structure adjacent to the refuge, and we 

prohibit hunting within 200 feet (61 m) 

of any road, railroad, levee, water 

control structure, designated public use 

trail, designated parking area, or other 

designated public use facility. 

(x) We prohibit mud boats or air 

cooled propulsion vessels, including 

‘‘surface-drive’’ boats, except when 

traversing through the Intracoastal 

Waterway and the Irish Bayou Straight 

Canal only. 

(xi) We only allow the incidental take 

of nutria with approved shot and 

weapons during any open youth 

waterfowl season on the refuge. 

(xii) We allow the incidental take of 

coyote, raccoon, feral hog, armadillo, 

and opossum with approved shot and 

weapons allowed during any open 

season on the refuge. 

(xiii) We allow only the use of 

reflective tacks as marking devices. 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of rabbit, and the incidental 

take of nutria, coyote, raccoon, 

armadillo, and opossum, on designated 

areas of the refuge subject to the 

following conditions: 

(i) We only allow youth hunting of 

upland game. 

(ii) When hunting, you must possess 

only shot size 4 or smaller or 0.22 

caliber rimfire rifles or smaller. We 

allow the use of air rifles. 

(iii) When hunting rabbit, we allow 

the use of dogs only after the close of 

the State archery deer season. 

(iv) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (c)(1)(i), (iii) through (v), and 

(ix) through (xiii) of this section apply. 

(3) Big game hunting. We only allow 

youth hunting of white-tailed deer, and 

the incidental take of feral hog, on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) We are open to youth hunting only 

during the State deer archery season. 

(ii) We prohibit organized deer drives. 

We define a ‘‘deer drive’’ as an 

organized or planned effort to pursue, 

drive, chase, or otherwise frighten or 

cause deer to move in the direction of 

any person(s) who is part of the 

organized or planned hunt and known 

to be waiting for the deer. 

(iii) We allow placement of temporary 

deer stands no earlier than 48 hours 

prior to the start of deer archery season. 

Hunters must remove all deer stands 

within 48 hours after the archery deer 

season closes (see § 27.93 of this 

chapter). 

(iv) We allow only one deer stand per 

hunter on the refuge. Deer stands must 

have the owner’s State license/ 

sportsmen’s identification number 

clearly printed on the stand. 

(v) We prohibit the use of deer 

decoys. 

(vi) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (c)(1)(i), (iii) through (v), and 

(ix) through (xiii) of this section apply. 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow 

recreational finfishing and shellfishing 

on designated areas of the refuge subject 

to the following conditions: 

(i) We allow daytime sport finfishing 

and shellfishing year-round on 

designated areas of the refuge. On 

portions of the refuge outside of the 

Hurricane Protection Levee, we allow 

daytime sport finfishing and 

shellfishing from November 1 through 

January 31 and during the State teal 

season, but only after 2 p.m. 

(ii) We only allow sport finfishing 

with hand-held rod and reel or handheld rod and line. 

(iii) You may take bait shrimp with 

cast nets only. 

(iv) You may take crawfish (up to 100 

pounds (45 kilograms) per person, per 

day) with crawfish or dip nets only. 

(v) We allow only recreational 

crabbing. 

(vi) You must attend all fishing, 

crabbing, and crawfishing equipment at 

all times. 

(vii) We prohibit the use of trotlines, 

limblines, slat traps, gar sets, nets, and 

alligator lines on the refuge. 

(viii) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (c)(1)(i), (x), and (xiii) of this 

section apply. 

(d) Bayou Teche National Wildlife 

Refuge—(1) Migratory game bird 

hunting. We allow hunting of duck, 

merganser, teal, light and dark goose, 

coot, gallinule, rail, snipe, dove, and 

woodcock on designated areas of the 

refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) Each person age 18 and older must 

possess and carry a valid, signed refuge 

user brochure while on the refuge. 

(ii) We prohibit hunting or discharge 

of firearms (see § 27.42 of this chapter) 

within 500 feet (152 meters (m)) of any 

residence or oil and gas infrastructure, 

or within 200 feet (61 m) of any road, 

railroad, levee, water control structure, 

designated public use trail, designated 

parking area, or other designated public 

use facility. 

(iii) All youth hunters age 15 and 

younger must be supervised by an adult 

during all hunts. One adult may 

supervise up to two youths during small 

game and migratory game bird hunts, 

but may supervise only one youth 

during big game hunts. The supervising 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 48861 

adult must maintain visual and voice 

contact with the youth at all times. 

Adult guardians are responsible for 

ensuring that youth hunters do not 

violate refuge rules. 

(iv) We require waterfowl and 

gallinule hunters to remove all portable 

blinds and decoys from the refuge by 2 

p.m. each day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of 

this chapter). 

(v) Migratory bird hunters are only 

allowed to enter the refuge after 4 a.m. 

(vi) We allow waterfowl hunting daily 

until 2 p.m. during the State regular 

season, State teal season, and State 

youth and veteran waterfowl seasons. 

We allow gallinule, snipe, and rail 

hunting until 2 p.m. 

(vii) When hunting migratory game 

birds, you may only use dogs to locate, 

point, and retrieve game. 

(viii) We allow only the use of 

reflective tacks as marking devices. 

(ix) We only allow the incidental take 

of nutria with approved shot and 

weapons during any open waterfowl 

season on the refuge. 

(x) We allow the incidental take of 

raccoon, feral hog, armadillo, opossum, 

and coyote with approved shot and 

weapons during any open season on the 

refuge. 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of squirrel and rabbit, and the 

incidental take of nutria, coyote, 

raccoon, armadillo, and opossum, on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) We only allow hunting from the 

start of the State squirrel and rabbit 

seasons until the last day of State 

waterfowl season for the State 

Waterfowl Zone in which you are 

hunting. 

(ii) We prohibit upland game hunting 

on days corresponding with refuge deer 

gun hunts. 

(iii) Hunters must leave the refuge no 

later than 2 hours after legal sunset. 

(iv) When hunting, you must possess 

only shot size 4 or smaller or 0.22 

caliber rimfire rifles or smaller. We 

allow the use of air rifles. 

(v) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (d)(1)(i) through (iii) and 

(viii) through (x) of this section apply. 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow the 

hunting of white-tailed deer, and the 

incidental take of feral hog, on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) We allow hunting of deer only with 

firearms (see § 27.42 of this chapter) 

during 5 specific days during October 

and November. A youth gun hunt will 

occur during the last weekend of 

October. The general gun hunt will 

occur during the final full weekend in 

November. The youth gun hunt includes 

both Saturday and Sunday. The general 

gun hunt includes the Friday 

immediately before the weekend. 

(ii) We allow archery deer hunting 

according to the State of Louisiana 

archery season. We close refuge archery 

hunting during refuge deer gun hunts. 

(iii) We allow each hunter to possess 

only one deer per day; the deer may be 

a buck or a doe. 

(iv) Hunters may use only portable 

deer stands. Hunters may erect deer 

stands no earlier than 48 hours before 

the deer archery season and must 

remove them from the refuge within 48 

hours after the season closes (see § 27.93 

of this chapter). Hunters may place only 

one deer stand on the refuge. Deer 

stands must have the owner’s State 

hunting license/sportsman’s 

identification number clearly printed on 

the stand. 

(v) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (d)(1)(i) through (iii), (viii), 

and (x), and (d)(2)(iii) of this section 

apply. 

(vi) We prohibit the use of deer 

decoys. 

(vii) We prohibit organized deer 

drives. We define a ‘‘deer drive’’ as an 

organized or planned effort to pursue, 

drive, chase, or otherwise frighten or 

cause deer to move in the direction of 

any person(s) who is part of the 

organized or planned hunt and known 

to be waiting for the deer. 

(viii) Deer hunters must display State 

Wildlife Management Area (WMA) 

hunter-orange or blaze-pink (as 

governed by State WMA regulations). 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport 

fishing in all refuge waters subject to the 

following conditions: 

(i) We prohibit the use of unattended 

nets, traps, or lines (trot, jug, bush, etc.). 

(ii) The condition set forth at 

paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section 

applies. 

(iii) The refuge is only open to 

recreational finfishing and shellfishing 

from legal sunrise to legal sunset. 

(e) Big Branch Marsh National 

Wildlife Refuge—(1) Migratory game 

bird hunting. We allow hunting of duck, 

merganser, teal, coot, light and dark 

goose, snipe, rail, gallinule, dove, and 

woodcock on designated areas of the 

refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) Each person age 18 and older must 

possess and carry a valid, signed refuge 

user brochure while on the refuge. 

(ii) We allow waterfowl, snipe, rail, 

gallinule, dove, and goose hunting on 

Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and 

Sundays from 1⁄2 hour before legal 

sunrise until 2 p.m., including 

waterfowl hunting during the State teal 

season and State youth and veterans 

waterfowl seasons. We only allow 

hunting of woodcock until 2 p.m. 

(iii) We allow light goose hunting for 

that part of the season that extends 

beyond the regular duck season from 1⁄2

hour before legal sunrise until 2 p.m. 

(iv) We allow only temporary blinds, 

and hunters must remove blinds and 

decoys by 2 p.m. each day (see § 27.93 

of this chapter). 

(v) All youth hunters age 15 and 

younger must be supervised by an adult 

during all hunts. One adult may 

supervise up to two youths during small 

game hunts and migratory bird hunts, 

but may supervise only one youth 

during big game hunts. The supervising 

adult must maintain visual and voice 

contact with the youth at all times. 

Adult guardians are responsible for 

ensuring that youth hunters do not 

violate refuge rules. 

(vi) We prohibit hunting or discharge 

of firearms (see § 27.42 of this chapter) 

within 500 feet (152 meters (m)) of any 

residence adjacent to the refuge or oil 

and gas infrastructure on the refuge, or 

within 200 feet (61 m) from the center 

of any road, railroad, levee, water 

control structure, designated public use 

maintained trail, designated parking 

area, or other designated public use 

facility. 

(vii) We allow migratory bird hunters 

to enter the refuge no earlier than 4 a.m., 

and all hunters must exit the refuge no 

later than 2 hours after legal sunset. 

(viii) We allow only reflective tacks as 

trail markers on the refuge. 

(ix) We allow the incidental take of 

raccoon, feral hog, armadillo, opossum, 

and coyote with approved shot and 

weapons allowed during any open 

season on the refuge. 

(x) We only allow the incidental take 

of nutria with approved shot and 

weapons during any open waterfowl 

(duck, teal, merganser, light and dark 

goose, and coot) season on the refuge. 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of squirrel, rabbit, and quail, 

and the incidental take of nutria, coyote, 

raccoon, armadillo, and opossum, on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) When hunting, you must possess 

only shot size 4 or smaller, or 0.22 

caliber rim-fire rifles or smaller. We 

allow the use of air rifles. 

(ii) When hunting squirrel and rabbit, 

and for the incidental take of raccoon, 

we allow the use of dogs only after the 

close of the State archery deer season. 

When hunting quail, you may only use 

dogs to locate, point, and retrieve. 

(iii) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (e)(1)(i), (v), (vi), and (viii) 

through (x) of this section apply. 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
48862 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

(iv) During the dog season for squirrel 

and rabbit, all hunters, including 

archers (while on the ground), except 

waterfowl hunters, must wear a 

minimum of a cap or hat that is hunter 

orange, blaze pink, or other such color 

as governed by State regulations. 

(v) We only allow hunting of quail 

until 2 p.m. 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of white-tailed deer, and the 

incidental take of feral hog, on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) We are open only during the State 

season for archery hunting of deer. 

(ii) We prohibit organized deer drives. 

We define a ‘‘deer drive’’ as an 

organized or planned effort to pursue, 

drive, chase, or otherwise frighten or 

cause deer to move in the direction of 

any person(s) who is part of the 

organized or planned hunt and known 

to be waiting for the deer. 

(iii) We allow placement of temporary 

deer stands no earlier than 48 hours 

prior to the start of deer archery season. 

Hunters must remove all deer stands 

within 48 hours after the archery deer 

season closes (see § 27.93 of this 

chapter). We allow only one deer stand 

per hunter on the refuge. Deer stands 

must have the owner’s State license/ 

sportsmen’s identification number 

clearly printed on the stand. We 

prohibit hunting stands on trees painted 

with white bands. 

(iv) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (e)(1)(i), (v), (vi), and (viii) 

through (x) of this section apply. 

(v) We prohibit the use of deer 

decoys. 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow 

recreational finfishing and shellfishing 

on designated areas of the refuge subject 

to the following conditions: 

(i) You may only fish from legal 

sunrise until legal sunset, except we 

allow night fishing from the bank and 

pier on Lake Road. 

(ii) You must only use rod and reel or 

pole and line while finfishing. 

(iii) You must attend to any fishing, 

crabbing, and crawfishing equipment at 

all times. 

(iv) The condition set forth at 

paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this section 

applies. 

* * * * * 

(g) Bogue Chitto National Wildlife 

Refuge—(1) Migratory game bird 

hunting. We allow hunting of duck, 

merganser, teal, light and dark goose, 

coot, gallinule, rail, snipe, dove, and 

woodcock on designated areas of the 

refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) Each person age 18 and older must 

possess and carry a valid, signed refuge 

user brochure while on the refuge. 

(ii) We only allow hunting of duck, 

merganser, teal, light and dark goose, 

and gallinule from 1⁄2 hour before legal 

sunrise until 2 p.m. of the State seasons, 

including during the State teal season, 

State youth waterfowl season, State 

veterans season, and special light goose 

conservation season. 

(iii) You must remove blinds and 

decoys by 2 p.m. each day (see § 27.93 

of this chapter). 

(iv) When hunting migratory game 

birds, you may only use dogs to locate, 

point, and retrieve game. 

(v) All youth hunters age 15 and 

younger must be supervised by an adult 

during all hunts. One adult may 

supervise up to two youths during 

upland game hunts and migratory bird 

hunts, but may supervise only one 

youth during big game hunts. The 

supervising adult must maintain visual 

and voice contact with the youth at all 

times. Adult guardians are responsible 

for ensuring that youth hunters do not 

violate refuge rules. 

(vi) We prohibit hunting or discharge 

of firearms (see § 27.42 of this chapter) 

within 500 feet (152 meters (m)) of any 

residence or oil and gas infrastructure, 

or within 200 feet (61 m) of any road, 

railroad, levee, water control structure, 

designated public use trail, building, 

designated camping area, designated 

parking area, or other designated public 

facility. 

(vii) For the purpose of hunting, we 

prohibit possession of slugs, buckshot, 

and rifle and pistol ammunition, except 

during the deer gun and primitive 

firearm seasons (see § 32.2(k)). 

(viii) You may use only reflective 

tacks as trail markers on the refuge. 

(ix) We allow the incidental take of 

feral hog, raccoon, armadillo, opossum, 

and coyote with approved shot and 

weapons allowed during any open 

season on the refuge. 

(x) We only allow incidental take of 

nutria with approved shot and weapons 

during any open waterfowl season on 

the refuge. 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of squirrel, rabbit, and quail, 

and the incidental take of nutria, coyote, 

raccoon, armadillo, and opossum, on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) We allow the use of dogs for rabbit 

and squirrel hunting, and the incidental 

take of raccoon, on specific dates listed 

in the refuge hunt brochure. 

(ii) During any open deer firearm or 

primitive firearm season on the refuge, 

all hunters, except waterfowl hunters, 

must wear hunter orange, blaze pink, or 

other such color as governed by State 

regulations. 

(iii) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (g)(1)(i) and (v) through (x) 

of this section apply. 

(iv) You may use .22-caliber rifles or 

smaller while hunting upland game and 

ammunition must be size 4 or smaller 

(see § 32.2(k)). 

(v) We will close the refuge to hunting 

(except waterfowl) and camping when 

the Pearl River reaches 15.5 feet (4.72 

meters) on the Pearl River Gauge at 

Pearl River, Louisiana. 

(vi) During the dog season for 

squirrels, rabbits, and incidental take of 

raccoon, all hunters, including archery 

hunters (while on the ground), except 

waterfowl hunters, must wear a cap or 

hat that is hunter-orange, blaze pink, or 

other such color as governed by State 

regulations. 

(vii) We prohibit upland game 

hunting on days corresponding with 

refuge deer gun and primitive firearm 

hunts. 

(viii) We only allow quail hunting 

until 2 p.m. 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of white-tailed deer, turkey, and 

feral hog, and the incidental take of feral 

hog, on designated areas of the refuge 

subject to the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (g)(1)(i) and (v) through (x), 

and (g)(2)(ii), (v), and (vi) of this section 

apply. 

(ii) Hunters may erect deer stands no 

earlier than 48 hours before the deer 

archery season opens and must remove 

them from the refuge within 48 hours 

after this season closes (see § 27.93 of 

this chapter). We allow only one deer 

stand per hunter on the refuge. Deer 

stands must have the owner’s State 

license/sportsmen’s identification 

number clearly printed on the stand. 

(iii) Deer hunters hunting from 

concealed blinds must display State 

Wildlife Management Area (WMA) 

hunter-orange or blaze-pink (as 

governed by State WMA regulations) 

above or around their blinds that is 

visible from 360 degrees. 

(iv) We hold a special dog hog hunt 

in February. During this hunt, the 

following conditions apply, in addition 

to the other conditions set forth in this 

paragraph (g)(3): 

(A) You must use trained hog-hunting 

dogs to aid in the take of hog. 

(B) We allow take of hog from 1⁄2 hour 

before legal sunrise until 1⁄2 hour after 

legal sunset. 

(C) You must possess only approved 

nontoxic shot, or pistol or rifle 

ammunition not larger than .22 caliber 

rim-fire, to take the hog after it has been 

caught by dogs. 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 48863 

(v) You must kill all hogs prior to 

removal from the refuge. 

(vi) We prohibit the use of deer and 

turkey gobbler decoys. 

(vii) We prohibit using shot larger 

than BB-lead, or T-steel, while hunting 

during turkey season. 

(viii) We describe the dates for turkey 

hunts and deer general gun hunts, youth 

hunts, and veterans hunts in the refuge 

user brochure. 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow only 

recreational fishing year-round on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) We only allow cotton limb lines. 

(ii) We close the fishing ponds at the 

Pearl River Turnaround to fishing from 

April through the first full week of June 

and to boating during the months of 

April, May, June, and July. 

(iii) When the Pearl River Turnaround 

area is open, we allow boats that do not 

have gasoline-powered engines attached 

in the fishing ponds at the Pearl River 

Turnaround. Anglers must hand-launch 

these boats into the ponds. When the 

fishing ponds at the Pearl River 

Turnaround are open, hook and line is 

the only legal method of take in those 

ponds. 

(iv) The Pearl River Turnaround area, 

when open to fishing, is open 1⁄2 hour 

before legal sunrise to 1⁄2 hour after legal 

sunset. 

(v) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (g)(1)(i) and (viii), and 

(g)(2)(v) of this section apply. 

* * * * * 

(i) * * * 

(1) * * * 

(iv) Every hunter must complete and 

turn in a Harvest Report (FWS Form 3– 

2542) available from a self-clearing 

check station after each hunt. 

* * * * * 

(3) * * * 

(iii) Each hunter must complete and 

turn in a Harvest Report (FWS Form 3– 

2542) available from a self-clearing 

check station after each hunt. 

* * * * * 

(j) Cat Island National Wildlife 

Refuge—(1) Migratory game bird 

hunting. We allow hunting of duck, 

merganser, teal, light and dark goose, 

coot, snipe, rail, gallinule, dove, and 

woodcock on designated areas of the 

refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) Each person age 18 and older must 

possess and carry a valid, signed refuge 

user brochure while on the refuge. 

(ii) We allow migratory bird hunters 

to enter the refuge no earlier than 4 a.m., 

and all hunters must exit the refuge 

within 2 hours after legal sunset. 

(iii) We allow the incidental take of 

beaver, feral hog, raccoon, armadillo, 

opossum, and coyote with approved 

shot and weapons allowed during any 

open season on the refuge. 

(iv) We allow all-terrain vehicles 

(ATVs) and utility-type vehicle (UTVs) 

as governed by State Wildlife 

Management Area regulations and size 

specifications on designated trails (see 

§ 27.31 of this chapter) from the third 

Saturday in September until February 

28. 

(v) We prohibit hunting within 500 

feet (152 meters (m)) of any residence or 

oil and gas infrastructure, or within 200 

feet (61 m) of any road, railroad, levee, 

water control structure, designated 

public use trail, building, designated 

parking area, or designated public use 

facility. 

(vi) All youth hunters age 15 and 

younger must be supervised by an adult 

during hunts. One adult may supervise 

up to two youths during small game 

hunts and migratory bird hunts, but may 

supervise only one youth during big 

game hunts. The supervising adult must 

maintain visual and voice contact with 

the youth at all times. Adult guardians 

are responsible for ensuring that youth 

hunters do not violate refuge rules. 

(vii) We allow waterfowl (duck, 

merganser, teal, light and dark goose, 

and coot) and gallinule hunting daily 

during the State regular season, 

including waterfowl hunting during the 

State teal season and State youth and 

veteran waterfowl seasons, from 1⁄2 hour 

before legal sunrise until 2 p.m. 

(viii) You must remove harvested 

waterfowl, temporary blinds, and 

decoys used for duck hunting by 2 p.m. 

each day (see § 27.93 of this chapter). 

(ix) When hunting migratory game 

birds, you may only use dogs to locate, 

point, and retrieve. 

(x) We prohibit accessing refuge 

property by boat from the Mississippi 

River. 

(xi) We allow only the use of 

reflective tacks as marking devices. 

(xii) We only allow the incidental take 

of nutria with approved shot and 

weapons during any open waterfowl 

season on the refuge. 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of squirrel and rabbit, and the 

incidental take of nutria, beaver, coyote, 

raccoon, armadillo, and opossum, on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (j)(1)(i) through (vi) and (x) 

through (xii) of this section apply. 

(ii) While upland game hunting, we 

prohibit the possession of hunting 

firearms larger than 0.22 caliber rimfire, 

shotgun slugs, and buckshot (see § 27.42 

of this chapter). 

(iii) We allow the use of dogs during 

designated small game with dog 

seasons. We require the owner’s contact 

information on the collars of all dogs. 

We only allow up to two dogs per 

hunting party for squirrel hunting. 

(iv) We prohibit upland game hunting 

on days corresponding with refuge deer 

gun hunts. 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of white-tailed deer on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (j)(1)(i) through (vi), (x), and 

(xi) of this section apply. 

(ii) We allow archery deer hunting, 

youth deer gun hunting during the first 

weekend of the State youth firearm 

season, and one weekend of primitive 

firearm season on the refuge. We list 

specific dates of these hunts in the 

refuge annual user brochure. 

(iii) Hunters may erect deer stands no 

earlier than 48 hours before the deer 

archery season opens and must remove 

them from the refuge within 48 hours 

after this season closes (see § 27.93 of 

this chapter). We grant extensions to 

retrieve stands due to high water refuge 

closure. We allow only one deer stand 

or blind per hunter on the refuge. Deer 

stands must have the owner’s State 

license/sportsmen’s identification 

number clearly printed on the stand. 

(iv) You may only take one deer of 

either sex per day during the deer 

seasons listed. State season limits apply. 

(v) Deer hunters must display State 

Wildlife Management Area (WMA) 

hunter-orange or blaze-pink (as 

governed by State WMA regulations). 

(vi) We prohibit organized drives. We 

define a ‘‘drive’’ as an organized or 

planned effort to pursue, drive, chase, or 

otherwise frighten or cause game to 

move in the direction of any person(s) 

who is part of the organized or planned 

hunt and known to be waiting for the 

game. 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow 

recreational finfishing and shellfishing 

on designated areas of the refuge subject 

to the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (j)(1)(i), (iv) (on the open 

portions of Wood Duck ATV trail for 

wildlife-dependent activities throughout 

the year), (x), and (xi) of this section 

apply. 

(ii) We prohibit slat traps or hoop nets 

on the refuge. 

(iii) Anglers may only crawfish during 

designated days and times. The harvest 

limit is 50 pounds (22.5 kilograms) per 

person per day. 

(iv) You must attend all crawfish traps 

and nets at all times. We allow up to, 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
48864 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

and no more than, 20 traps per angler 

on the refuge. 

* * * * * 

(m) Delta National Wildlife Refuge— 

(1) Migratory game bird hunting. We 

allow hunting of duck, merganser, teal, 

light and dark goose, dove, snipe, rail, 

gallinule, and coot on designated areas 

of the refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) Each person age 18 and older must 

possess and carry a valid, signed refuge 

user brochure while on the refuge. 

(ii) We allow migratory bird hunting 

on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, 

and Sundays from 1⁄2 hour before legal 

sunrise until 2 p.m. during the State 

seasons, including the regular waterfowl 

season, the State teal season, State youth 

waterfowl season, State veterans 

waterfowl season, and State light goose 

special conservation season. 

(iii) We only allow temporary blinds. 

You must remove both blinds and 

decoys by 2 p.m. each day (see § 27.93 

of this chapter). 

(iv) When hunting migratory game 

birds, you may only use dogs to locate, 

point, and retrieve game. 

(v) We prohibit discharge of firearms 

(see § 27.42 of this chapter) within 500 

feet (152 meters (m)) of any residence or 

oil and gas infrastructure, or within 200 

feet (61 m) of any road, railroad, levee, 

water control structure, designated 

public use trail, designated parking area, 

or other designated public use facilities. 

(vi) All youth hunters age 15 and 

younger must be supervised by an adult 

during all hunts. One adult may 

supervise up to two youths during 

upland game and migratory game bird 

hunts, but may supervise only one 

youth during big game hunts. The 

supervising adult must maintain visual 

and voice contact with the youth at all 

times. 

(vii) Migratory bird hunters may enter 

the refuge no earlier than 4 a.m., and all 

hunters must exit the refuge no later 

than 2 hours after legal sunset. 

(viii) We allow the incidental take of 

raccoon, feral hog, armadillo, opossum, 

and coyote with approved shot and 

weapons allowed during any open 

season on the refuge. 

(ix) We only allow the incidental take 

of nutria with approved shot and 

weapons during any open waterfowl 

season on the refuge. 

(x) We allow only the use of reflective 

tacks as marking devices. 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of rabbit, and the incidental 

take of nutria, coyote, raccoon, 

armadillo, and opossum on designated 

areas of the refuge subject to the 

following conditions: 

(i) The refuge rabbit season opens the 

day after the State duck season closes 

and continues through the remainder of 

the State rabbit season. 

(ii) We restrict hunting to shotgun 

only. 

(iii) We allow the use of dogs when 

rabbit hunting. 

(iv) We prohibit upland game hunting 

on days corresponding with refuge deer 

gun hunts. 

(v) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (m)(1)(i) and (v) through 

(viii) of this section apply. 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of white-tailed deer on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (m)(1)(i) and (v) through (x) 

of this section apply. 

(ii) We allow archery deer hunting, 

bucks only, from October 1 through 15. 

We allow either-sex archery deer 

hunting from October 16 through 31, 

and from the day after the close of the 

State duck season through the end of the 

State deer archery season. 

(iii) We allow placement of temporary 

deer stands up to 48 hours prior to the 

start of deer archery season. Hunters 

must remove all deer stands within 48 

hours after the archery deer season 

closes (see § 27.93 of this chapter). We 

allow only one deer stand per hunter on 

the refuge. Deer stands must have the 

owner’s State license/sportsmen’s 

identification number clearly printed on 

the stand. 

(iv) We prohibit organized deer 

drives. We define a ‘‘deer drive’’ as an 

organized or planned effort to pursue, 

drive, chase, or otherwise frighten or 

cause deer to move in the direction of 

any person(s) who is part of the 

organized or planned hunt and known 

to be waiting for the deer. 

(v) We prohibit the use of deer 

decoys. 

(vi) We allow shotgun hunting of deer 

on the Saturday and Sunday during the 

first split of the regular waterfowl 

season. 

(vii) Deer hunters must display State 

Wildlife Management Area (WMA) 

hunter-orange or blaze-pink (as 

governed by State WMA regulations). 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow 

recreational finfishing and shellfishing 

on designated areas of the refuge subject 

to the following conditions: 

(i) We only allow sport finfishing and 

shellfishing from 1⁄2 hour before legal 

sunrise until 1⁄2 hour after legal sunset. 

During the State waterfowl hunting 

seasons, we only allow sport finfishing 

and shellfishing from 2 p.m. until 1⁄2

hour after legal sunset. However, during 

the waterfowl season, we prohibit all 

public entry between Main Pass and 

Raphael Pass. 

(ii) We prohibit the use of trotlines, 

limblines, slat traps, jug lines, nets, or 

alligator lines. 

(iii) The condition set forth at 

paragraph (m)(1)(i) of this section 

applies. 

* * * * * 

(o) * * * 

(1) * * * 

(iv) Each hunter must complete and 

turn in a Harvest Report (FWS Form 3– 

2542), available from a self-clearing 

check station, after each hunt. 

* * * * * 

(3) * * * 

(v) Each hunter must complete and 

turn in a Harvest Report (FWS Form 3– 

2542) available from a self-clearing 

check station, after each hunt. 

* * * * * 

(q) Mandalay National Wildlife 

Refuge—(1) Migratory game bird 

hunting. We allow hunting of duck, teal, 

merganser, light and dark goose, 

gallinule (including moorhen), coot, 

rail, snipe, and dove on designated areas 

of the refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) Each person age 18 and older must 

possess and carry a valid, signed refuge 

user brochure while on the refuge. 

(ii) We allow only youth hunting of 

migratory game birds and only in the 

Hanson Unit on Wednesdays, 

Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays 

until 2 p.m. of the State teal, youth, and 

regular waterfowl seasons. 

(iii) We open the Hanson Unit only to 

youth goose hunting during any 

segment of the goose season that 

extends beyond the regular duck season 

on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, 

and Sundays until 2 p.m. 

(iv) Migratory bird hunters are only 

allowed to enter the refuge after 4 a.m. 

(v) All youth hunters age 15 and 

younger must be supervised by an adult 

during all hunts. One adult may 

supervise up to two youths during small 

game and migratory game bird hunts. 

An adult may supervise only one youth 

during big game hunts. The supervising 

adult must maintain visual and voice 

contact with the youth at all times. The 

youth must be capable of and must 

actively participate in the hunt by 

possessing and/or firing a legal weapon 

during the hunt for the express purpose 

of harvesting game. Parents or adult 

guardians are responsible for ensuring 

that hunters age 15 and younger do not 

violate refuge rules. 

(vi) Adults accompanying youth on 

refuge hunts may participate by 

hunting, but are not allowed to harvest 

more than their own daily bag limit. 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 48865 

(vii) We only allow incidental take of 

nutria with approved shot and weapons 

during any open waterfowl season on 

the refuge. 

(viii) We allow incidental take of 

raccoon, feral hog, armadillo, opossum, 

and coyote with approved shot and 

weapons allowed during any open 

season on the refuge. 

(ix) We prohibit hunting within 500 

feet (152 meters (m)) of any residence or 

oil and gas infrastructure, or within 200 

feet (61 m) of any road, railroad, levee, 

water control structure, designated 

public use trail, designated parking area, 

or other designated public use facility. 

(x) We allow only temporary blinds, 

and hunters must remove blinds and 

decoys by 2 p.m. each day (see § 27.93 

of this chapter). 

(2) Upland Game Hunting. We allow 

youth hunting of squirrel and rabbit, 

and the incidental take of nutria, coyote, 

raccoon, armadillo, and opossum, on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) When hunting, you must possess 

only shot size 4 or smaller, or 0.22 

caliber rim-fire rifles or smaller. We 

allow the use of air rifles. 

(ii) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (q)(1)(i) and (v) through (ix) 

apply. 

(iii) The Hanson Unit is closed to 

youth hunting prior to 2 p.m. on 

Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and 

Sundays during waterfowl hunt season. 

(iv) Hunters must leave the refuge no 

later than 2 hours after legal sunset. 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow the 

hunting of white-tailed deer, and the 

incidental take of feral hog, on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) We open the refuge to hunting of 

white-tailed deer only during the State 

archery season. We close the Hanson 

Unit to big game hunting prior to 2 p.m. 

on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, 

and Sundays during State waterfowl 

seasons. 

(ii) You may take only one deer of 

either sex per day. 

(iii) We prohibit the use of deer 

decoys. 

(iv) We only allow portable stands. 

Hunters may erect temporary deer 

stands no earlier than 48 hours prior to 

the start of deer archery season. Hunters 

must remove all deer stands within 48 

hours after the archery deer season 

closes (see § 27.93 of this chapter). 

Hunters may place only one deer stand 

on the refuge. Deer stands must have the 

owner’s State hunting license/ 

sportsman’s identification number 

clearly printed on the stand. 

(v) We prohibit organized deer drives. 

We define a ‘‘deer drive’’ as an 

organized or planned effort to pursue, 

drive, chase, or otherwise frighten or 

cause deer to move in the direction of 

any person(s) who is part of the 

organized or planned hunt and known 

to be waiting for the deer. 

(vi) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (q)(1)(i), (v), (vi), (viii), and 

(ix), and (q)(2)(iv) of this section apply. 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow 

recreational finfishing and shellfishing 

in all refuge waters subject to the 

following conditions: 

(i) We prohibit the use of unattended 

nets, traps, or lines (trot, jog, bush, etc.). 

(ii) The refuge is open from legal 

sunrise until legal sunset. 

(iii) The condition set forth at 

paragraph (q)(1)(i) of this section 

applies. 

(r) Red River National Wildlife 

Refuge—(1) Migratory game bird 

hunting. We allow hunting of duck, 

goose, coot, woodcock, snipe, rail, 

gallinule, and dove on designated areas 

of the refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) Hunters must possess and carry a 

signed refuge brochure. 

(ii) We allow waterfowl hunting until 

12 p.m. (noon) during the State season. 

Waterfowl hunters must exit the refuge 

no later than 1:30 p.m. 

(iii) Hunters may enter the refuge no 

earlier than 4 a.m. 

(iv) Hunters may only hunt during 

designated times and seasons within 

specified State seasons as listed in 

refuge brochure. 

(v) We prohibit hunting within 100 

feet (30 meters) of any public road, 

refuge road, trail or ATV trail, residence, 

building, aboveground oil or gas or 

electrical transmission facility, or 

designated public facility. 

(vi) When hunting migratory game 

birds, you may only use dogs to locate, 

point, and retrieve. 

(vii) We allow the incidental take of 

coyote, beaver, and feral hogs in 

designated areas during any refuge hunt 

with the weapons legal for that hunt, 

subject to applicable State seasons and 

regulations. 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of quail, squirrel, rabbit, 

raccoon, and opossum, and incidental 

take of coyote and beaver, on designated 

areas of the refuge subject to the 

following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (r)(1)(i), (iii) through (v), and 

(vii) of this section apply. 

(ii) We allow hunting of raccoon and 

opossum during the daylight hours of 

rabbit and squirrel season. We allow 

night hunting during December and 

January, and you may use dogs for night 

hunting. 

(iii) We allow the use of dogs to hunt 

squirrel and rabbit after December 31. 

(iv) Hunters must exit the refuge no 

later than 1 hour after legal shooting 

hours, unless participating in 

authorized hunting after legal sunset. 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of white-tailed deer and turkey, 

and the incidental take of feral hog, on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following condition: The conditions 

set forth at paragraphs (r)(1)(i), (iii) 

through (v), and (vii), and (r)(2)(iv) of 

this section apply. 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport 

fishing on designated areas of the refuge 

subject to the following conditions: 

(i) We allow use of only electric 

trolling motors on all refuge waters 

while fishing. 

(ii) Recreational fishing using 

commercial gear (slat traps, etc.) 

requires a special refuge permit (Special 

Use Permit (FWS Form 3–1383–G)), 

which is available at the refuge office. 

You must possess and carry the special 

refuge permit while fishing using 

commercial gear. 

(iii) We prohibit the taking of alligator 

snapping turtle (see § 27.21 of this 

chapter). 

(s) * * * 

(1) * * * 

(iv) Each hunter must complete and 

turn in a Harvest Report (FWS Form 3– 

2542) from a self-clearing check station 

after each hunt. 

* * * * * 

(t) Tensas River National Wildlife 

Refuge—(1) Migratory game bird 

hunting. We allow hunting of duck, 

goose, rail, gallinule, coot, woodcock, 

and snipe on designated areas of the 

refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) All hunters and anglers age 16 and 

older must purchase an Annual Public 

Use Permit (FWS Form 3–2439). This 

permit allows individuals to participate 

in open (non-quota) hunting and fishing 

seasons. 

(ii) All hunters and anglers must 

obtain a Self-Clearing Permit (FWS 

Form 3–2405), available at refuge entry 

points and at the Visitor Center, and 

complete the self-clearing process when 

exiting the refuge at the end of each day. 

(iii) We allow hunting of duck, goose, 

rail, gallinule, coot, and snipe on 

Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and 

Sundays until 2 p.m. during the State 

season. We prohibit migratory bird 

hunting during refuge gun hunts for 

deer. 

(iv) We allow refuge hunters to enter 

the refuge no earlier than 4 a.m., and 

they must leave no later than 2 hours 

after legal sunset unless they are 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
48866 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

participating in the refuge nighttime 

raccoon hunt. 

(v) We allow all-terrain vehicle (ATV) 

travel on designated trails for access 

typically from October 1 to the last day 

of the refuge squirrel season. 

(vi) We prohibit field dressing of game 

within 150 feet (45 meters) of parking 

areas, maintained roads, and trails. 

(vii) An adult age 18 or older must 

supervise youth hunters age 17 and 

younger during all hunts. One adult 

may supervise two youths during small 

game and migratory bird hunts, but may 

supervise only one youth during big 

game hunts. Youth must remain within 

normal voice contact of the adult who 

is supervising them. 

(viii) We allow the incidental take of 

coyote, beaver, raccoon, opossum, feral 

hog, armadillo, and nutria during 

authorized hunts with firearms and 

archery equipment legal for use during 

the hunt. 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of raccoon, squirrel, and rabbit, 

and the incidental take of coyote, 

beaver, raccoon, opossum, armadillo, 

and nutria, on designated areas of the 

refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (t)(1)(i), (ii), and (iv) through 

(viii) of this section apply. 

(ii) A nighttime raccoon hunt will be 

conducted during December, January, 

and/or February, usually in conjunction 

with the adjacent State Wildlife 

Management Area (WMA) raccoon 

hunting season. 

(iii) We allow the use of dogs when 

squirrel and rabbit hunting subject to 

the following conditions: 

(A) We allow hunting without dogs 

from the beginning of the State season 

to December 31. 

(B) From the beginning of the State 

season to December 31, we do not 

require hunters to wear hunter orange. 

(C) We allow squirrel and rabbit 

hunting with or without dogs from 

January 1 to the last day of February. 

(D) From January 1 to the last day of 

February, squirrel and rabbit hunters are 

required to wear a minimum solid 

hunter orange cap. 

(E) We allow no more than three dogs 

per hunting party. 

(iv) We close squirrel and rabbit 

hunting during the following gun hunts 

for deer: Refuge-wide youth hunt, 

primitive firearms hunt, and modern 

firearms hunts. 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of white-tailed deer and turkey, 

and the incidental take of feral hogs, on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (t)(1)(i), (ii), and (iv) through 

(viii) of this section apply. 

(ii) We require a valid Quota Modern 

Firearm Permit (FWS Form 3–2439) to 

hunt during a Deer Quota Modern 

Firearm Hunt. You must complete and 

submit an application for all Deer Quota 

Hunts, and hunters will be notified of 

their drawing status. If selected, hunters 

are required to purchase the Annual 

Public Use Permit (FWS Form 3–2439) 

to claim their Quota Modern Firearm 

Permit for the selected hunt. Hunters 

must carry a signed paper copy or 

electronic version of the permit with 

them on their person while hunting. 

(iii) Deer archery season will begin 

the first Saturday in November and will 

conclude on January 31, except for 

during the youth gun hunt and modern 

firearms hunts, when archery is 

prohibited. 

(iv) The deer primitive firearms 

season will occur between November 1 

and January 31. We allow all legal 

primitive firearms as governed by State 

regulations. 

(v) During the deer primitive firearms 

season, hunters may fit any legal 

primitive firearms with magnified 

scopes. 

(vi) We allow hunters using primitive 

weapons to hunt reforested areas. 

(vii) We prohibit youth hunters from 

using modern firearms during the 

primitive weapon hunt. 

(viii) During modern firearm hunts, 

all firearm hunting, even hunting with 

primitive weapons or muzzleloaders, is 

governed by applicable Federal and 

State regulations. We require a quota 

hunt permit (FWS Form 3–2439) for 

these hunts. 

(ix) During modern firearm hunts, we 

prohibit hunting in reforested areas. We 

prohibit hunting and/or shooting into or 

across any reforested area during the 

quota hunt for deer. 

(x) For the guided quota youth hunts, 

we consider youth to be ages 8 through 

15. 

(xi) We will conduct a refuge-wide 

youth deer hunt that will coincide with 

the State youth hunt weekend. 

(xii) Hunters may take only one deer 

(one buck or one doe) per day during 

refuge deer hunts, except that during 

guided youth and wheelchair-bound 

hunts, the limit will be one antlerless 

and one antlered deer per day. 

(xiii) We allow turkey hunting in 

designated areas during the State turkey 

hunt season not to exceed 16 days. 

(xiv) We allow a youth turkey hunt 

weekend in conjunction with the State 

youth turkey hunt weekend. 

(xv) We allow muzzleloader hunters 

to discharge their primitive firearms at 

the end of each hunt safely into the 

ground at least 150 feet (45 meters (m)) 

from any designated public road, 

maintained road, trail, fire break, 

dwelling, or aboveground oil and gas 

production facility. We define a 

‘‘maintained road or trail’’ as one that 

has been mowed, disked, or plowed, or 

one that is free of trees. 

(xvi) We prohibit deer hunters leaving 

deer stands unattended before the 

opening day of the refuge archery 

season. Hunters must remove stands 

from the refuge by the end of the last 

day of the refuge archery season (see 

§ 27.93 of this chapter). Hunters must 

remove portable stands from trees at the 

end of each day’s hunt and place 

freestanding stands in a nonhunting 

position when unattended. Hunters 

must clearly mark stands left 

unattended on the refuge with the 

hunter’s last name, Louisiana 

Department of Wildlife and Fisheries 

license number, and I-Sportsman Permit 

Number. 

(xvii) We allow hunting with slugs, 

rifle, or pistol ammunition larger than 

.22 caliber rimfire only during the quota 

hunts for deer. We prohibit use of 

buckshot when hunting. 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport 

fishing on designated areas of the refuge 

subject to the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (t)(1)(i) and (ii) of this 

section apply. 

(ii) We allow anglers to enter the 

refuge no earlier than 4 a.m., and they 

must depart no later than 2 hours after 

legal sunset. 

(iii) We prohibit the taking of turtle 

(see § 27.21 of this chapter). 

(iv) We prohibit fish cleaning within 

150 feet (45 m) of parking areas, 

maintained roads, and trails. 

(u) Upper Ouachita National Wildlife 

Refuge—(1) Migratory game bird 

hunting. We allow hunting of duck, 

goose, coot, dove, rail, gallinule, snipe, 

and woodcock on designated areas of 

the refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) You must carry a signed refuge 

public use brochure and must carry and 

fill out daily a Visitor Check-In Permit 

and Report (FWS Form 3–2405). 

(ii) Hunters may only hunt during 

designated refuge seasons as listed in 

the signed refuge public use brochure. 

(iii) We allow waterfowl hunting until 

12 p.m. (noon) during the State season. 

Waterfowl hunters must exit the refuge 

no later than 1:30 p.m. 

(iv) Hunters may enter the refuge no 

earlier than 4 a.m. 

(v) We prohibit hunting within 100 

feet (30 meters (m)) of the maintained 

rights-of-way of roads and from or 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 48867 

across all-terrain vehicle (ATV) trails. 

We prohibit hunting within 50 feet (15 

meters (m)) of, or trespassing on, 

aboveground oil, gas, or electrical 

transmission facilities. 

(vi) When hunting migratory game 

birds, you may only use dogs to locate, 

point, and retrieve. 

(vii) We allow ATVs only on trails 

designated for their use and marked by 

signs (see § 27.31 of this chapter). ATV 

trails are closed March 1 through 

August 31. 

(viii) We allow the incidental take of 

coyote, beaver, and feral hog during any 

refuge hunt with the weapons legal for 

that hunt, subject to applicable State 

seasons and regulations. 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of quail, squirrel, rabbit, 

raccoon, and opossum, and the 

incidental take of coyote and beaver, on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (u)(1)(i), (ii), (iv), (v), (vii), 

and (viii) of this section apply. 

(ii) You must exit no later than 2 

hours after legal shooting hours, unless 

participating in authorized hunting after 

legal sunset. 

(iii) We allow the nighttime hunting 

of raccoon and opossum from December 

1 to January 31 with the aid of dogs. We 

allow hunting of raccoon and opossum 

during the daylight hours of rabbit and 

squirrel season. 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of white-tailed deer and turkey, 

and the incidental take of feral hog, on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (u)(1)(i), (ii), (iv), (v), (vii), 

and (viii), and (u)(2)(ii) of this section 

apply. 

(ii) Deer hunters must wear hunter 

orange as governed by State deer 

hunting regulations in wildlife 

management areas. 

(iii) We prohibit hunters from placing 

stands or hunting from stands on pine 

trees with white-painted bands and/or 

rings. 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport 

fishing on designated areas of the refuge 

subject to the following conditions: 

(i) We prohibit leaving boats and 

other personal property on the refuge 

overnight (see § 27.93 of this chapter). 

(ii) You must tend trotlines daily. You 

must attach ends of trotlines by a length 

of cotton line that extends into the 

water. 

(iii) Recreational fishing using 

commercial gear (slat traps, etc.) 

requires a special refuge permit (Special 

Use Permit (FWS Form 3–1383–G)), 

which is available at the refuge office. 

You must possess and carry the special 

refuge permit while fishing using 

commercial gear. 

(iv) We prohibit the taking of turtle 

(see § 27.21 of this chapter). 

* * * * * 

■ 13. Amend § 32.38 by: 

■ a. Revising paragraphs (a) and (b); 

■ b. Redesignating paragraph (e) as 

paragraph (g) and paragraph (c) as 

paragraph (e); 

■ c. Adding new paragraph (c); 

■ d. Revising paragraph (d) and newly 

redesignated paragraphs (e)(2)(i) and 

(e)(3)(i); 

■ e. Adding paragraph (f). 

The additions and revisions read as 

follows: 

§ 32.38 Maine. 

* * * * * 

(a) Franklin Island National Wildlife 

Refuge—(1) Migratory game bird 

hunting. We allow hunting of waterfowl 

on designated areas of the refuge subject 

to the following conditions: 

(i) We allow the use of dogs consistent 

with State regulations. 

(ii) We allow temporary or portable 

blinds. We require hunters to remove all 

portable or temporary blinds and decoys 

from the refuge following each day’s 

hunt (see § 27.93 of this chapter). 

(2)–(4) [Reserved] 

(b) Moosehorn National Wildlife 

Refuge—(1) Migratory game bird 

hunting. We allow hunting of duck, 

goose, American woodcock, and snipe 

on designated areas of the refuge subject 

to the following conditions: 

(i) We allow the use of dogs consistent 

with State regulations. 

(ii) We allow hunters to enter the 

refuge 1 hour before legal shooting 

hours, and they must exit the refuge by 

1 hour past legal shooting hours. 

(iii) We only allow portable or 

temporary blinds and decoys that must 

be removed from the refuge following 

each day’s hunt (see § 27.93 of this 

chapter). 

(iv) Hunters must retrieve all species 

harvested on the refuge. 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of bobcat, eastern coyote, ruffed 

grouse, snowshoe hare, red fox, gray and 

red squirrel, raccoon, skunk, porcupine, 

and woodchuck on designated areas of 

the refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (b)(1)(i), (ii) (except for 

hunters pursuing raccoon and coyote at 

night), (iii), and (iv) of this section 

apply. 

(ii) We allow hunting for eastern 

coyote, red squirrel, and woodchuck 

only from October 1 to March 31. 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of black bear, moose, and 

white-tailed deer on designated areas of 

the refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (b)(1)(i), (ii), and (iv) of this 

section apply. 

(ii) We allow tree stands, blinds, and 

ladders to be set up on the opening day 

of the archery deer season. Hunters 

must clearly label tree stands, blinds, or 

ladders left on the refuge overnight with 

your State hunting license number and 

last name. Hunters must remove tree 

stand(s), blind(s), and/or ladder(s) from 

the refuge on the last day of the 

muzzleloader deer season (see § 27.93 of 

this chapter). 

(iii) You may hunt black bear, eastern 

coyote, and white-tailed deer during the 

State archery and firearms deer seasons 

on the Baring Division east of State 

Route 191. 

(iv) We prohibit use of firearms to 

hunt bear during the archery deer 

season on the Baring Division east of 

Route 191. We prohibit the use of 

firearms, other than a muzzleloader, to 

hunt coyote during the deer 

muzzleloader season on the Baring 

Division east of Route 191. 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport 

fishing on designated areas of the refuge 

subject to the following conditions: 

(i) We only allow fishing from 1⁄2 hour 

before legal sunrise to 1⁄2 hour after legal 

sunset. 

(ii) We prohibit trapping fish for use 

as bait. 

(c) Petit Manan National Wildlife 

Refuge—(1) Migratory game bird 

hunting. We allow hunting of duck, 

goose, seaduck, brant, woodcock, rail, 

and snipe on designated areas of the 

refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) We allow the use of dogs consistent 

with State regulations. 

(ii) We allow temporary or portable 

blinds. We require hunters to remove all 

portable or temporary blinds and decoys 

from the refuge following each day’s 

hunt (see § 27.93 of this chapter). 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of ruffed grouse, gray squirrel, 

red squirrel, skunk, snowshoe hare, fox, 

coyote, porcupine woodchuck, bobcat, 

and raccoon on designated areas of the 

refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) We prohibit the use of dogs for 

pursuing game. 

(ii) We allow hunting for coyotes, red 

squirrel, porcupine, and woodchuck 

from November 1 to March 31. 

(iii) Hunters must retrieve all species 

harvested on the refuge. 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
48868 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

(iv) We prohibit night hunting from 1⁄2

hour after legal sunset until 1⁄2 hour 

before legal sunrise the following day. 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of white-tailed deer and black 

bear on designated areas of the refuge 

subject to the following conditions: 

(i) Petit Manan Point is open only 

during the muzzleloader deer season. 

(ii) We allow black bear hunting 

during the firearm season for whitetailed deer. 

(iii) We allow hunters to enter the 

refuge 1 hour before legal sunrise, and 

they must exit the refuge no later than 

1 hour after legal sunset. 

(iv) We prohibit the use of dogs when 

hunting black bear. 

(v) We require hunters to remove all 

tree stands, blinds, and ladders from the 

refuge on the last day of muzzleloader 

deer season (see § 27.93 of this chapter). 

(4) [Reserved] 

(d) Pond Island National Wildlife 

Refuge—(1) Migratory game bird 

hunting. We allow hunting of waterfowl 

on designated areas of the refuge subject 

to the following conditions: 

(i) We allow the use of dogs consistent 

with State regulations. 

(ii) We allow temporary or portable 

blinds. We require hunters to remove all 

portable or temporary blinds and decoys 

from the refuge following each day’s 

hunt (see § 27.93 of this chapter). 

(2)–(4) [Reserved] 

(e) * * * 

(2) * * * 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (e)(1)(i) and (iii) of this 

section apply. 

* * * * * 

(3) * * * 

(i) The conditions as set forth at 

paragraphs (e)(1)(i) and (iv) of this 

section apply. 

* * * * * 

(f) Sunkhaze Meadows National 

Wildlife Refuge—(1) Migratory game 

bird hunting. We allow hunting of duck, 

goose, rail, American woodcock, and 

Wilson’s snipe on designated areas of 

the refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) We allow the use of dogs consistent 

with State regulations. 

(ii) The hunter must retrieve all 

species harvested on the refuge. 

(iii) We only allow portable or 

temporary blinds and decoys that must 

be removed from the refuge following 

each day’s hunt (see § 27.93 of this 

chapter). 

(iv) We allow hunters to enter the 

refuge 1 hour before legal shooting 

hours, and they must exit the refuge no 

later than 1 hour after legal shooting 

hours. 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of bobcat, coyote, ruffed grouse, 

hare, red fox, gray squirrel, red squirrel, 

raccoon, skunk, and woodchuck on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (f)(1)(i) through (iv) (except 

for hunters pursing raccoon or coyote at 

night) of this section apply. 

(ii) We allow hunting for eastern 

coyote, red squirrel, and woodchuck 

only from October 1 to March 31. 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of black bear, moose, wild 

turkey, and white-tailed deer on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (f)(1)(i), (ii), and (iv) of this 

section apply. 

(ii) We allow tree stands, blinds, and 

ladders to be set up on the opening day 

of the archery deer season. Hunters 

must clearly label tree stands, blinds, or 

ladders left on the refuge overnight with 

your State hunting license number and 

last name. Hunters must remove tree 

stand(s), blind(s), and/or ladder(s) from 

the refuge on the last day of the 

muzzleloader deer season (see § 27.93 of 

this chapter). 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport 

fishing on designated areas of the refuge 

subject to the following condition: We 

prohibit trapping fish for use as bait. 

* * * * * 

■ 14. Amend § 32.41 by revising 

paragraph (b) to read as follows: 

§ 32.41 Michigan. 

* * * * * 

(b) Harbor Island National Wildlife 

Refuge—(1) Migratory game bird 

hunting. We allow hunting of migratory 

game birds on designated areas of the 

refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) Hunters may enter the refuge no 

earlier than 1 hour before legal sunrise 

and must leave the refuge no later than 

1 hour after legal sunset. 

(ii) You must remove boats, blinds, 

blind materials, stands, decoys, and 

other hunting equipment from the 

refuge at the end of each day (see 

§§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter). 

(iii) We allow the use of dogs while 

hunting in accordance with Michigan 

State regulations, provided the dog is 

under the immediate control of the 

hunter at all times. 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

upland game hunting on designated 

areas of the refuge subject to the 

following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (b)(1)(i) through (iii) of this 

section apply. 

(ii) For hunting, you may possess only 

approved nontoxic shot shells while in 

the field, including shot shells used for 

hunting wild turkey (see § 32.2(k)). 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of big game subject to the 

following conditions: 

(i) The condition set forth at 

paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section 

applies. 

(ii) We prohibit dogs for big game 

hunting. 

(iii) Deer hunters may place one 

portable stand or blind on the refuge for 

use while deer hunting, but only during 

the open deer season. The stand must be 

clearly labeled with the hunter’s 

Michigan license/sportsmen’s 

identification number. The stand must 

be removed by the end of the season 

(see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter). 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport 

fishing on designated areas of the refuge 

subject to the following condition: We 

prohibit the taking of any mussel (clam), 

crayfish, leech, frog, toad, salamander, 

snake, lizard, turtle, and other non-fish 

species by any method on the refuge 

(see § 27.21 of this chapter). 

* * * * * 

■ 15. Amend § 32.42 by revising 

paragraphs (p)(1) introductory text, 

(p)(1)(v), and (p)(2)(ii) to read as 

follows: 

§ 32.42 Minnesota. 

* * * * * 

(p) * * * 

(1) Migratory game bird hunting. We 

allow hunting of goose, duck, 

merganser, coot, Sora/Virginia rail, 

woodcock, snipe, common moorhen/ 

gallinule, mourning dove, and American 

crow on designated areas of the refuge 

subject to the following conditions: 

* * * * * 

(v) You may only hunt American 

crow from September 1 through the end 

of February within the migratory bird 

hunting area. We prohibit hunting from 

March 1 through August 31. 

* * * * * 

(2) * * * 

(ii) We allow spring turkey hunting 

for youth hunters and persons with 

disabilities, and fall turkey hunting for 

all hunters, on designated areas of the 

refuge. 

* * * * * 

■ 16. Amend § 32.43 by: 

■ a. Revising paragraphs (b)(1)(iv), 

(b)(3)(i), (c)(1)(iv), and (c)(2)(ii); 

■ b. Removing paragraph (c)(2)(iii); 

■ c. Revising paragraph (c)(3)(i); 

■ d. Removing paragraph (c)(3)(ii); 

■ e. Redesignating paragraphs (c)(3)(iii) 

through (vii) as paragraphs (c)(3)(ii) 

through (vi); and 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 48869 

■ f. Revising paragraphs (d), (e)(1)(iii), 

(e)(3)(iv), (f)(2)(iii), (g)(1)(iii), (h)(1)(iii), 

(h)(3)(iv), (i)(1)(iii), (i)(3)(iv), (j), 

(l)(1)(iv), (l)(2)(i), (l)(3)(i), (m)(1)(iii), and 

(m)(3)(iv). 

The revisions read as follows: 

§ 32.43 Mississippi. 

* * * * * 

(b) * * * 

(1) * * * 

(iv) Each hunter must obtain a daily 

Harvest Report (FWS Form 3–2542). 

You must display the card in plain view 

on the dashboard of your vehicle so that 

the State-issued license number is 

readable. Prior to leaving the refuge, you 

must complete the reverse side of the 

card and deposit it at one of the refuge 

information stations. Include all game 

harvested, and if you harvest no game, 

report ‘‘0.’’ We prohibit hunters 

possessing more than one Harvest 

Report at a time. 

* * * * * 

(3) * * * 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (b)(1)(i), (ii), (iv), and (vi) of 

this section apply. 

* * * * * 

(c) * * * 

(1) * * * 

(iv) Each hunter must obtain a daily 

Harvest Report (FWS Form 3–2542). 

You must display the card in plain view 

on the dashboard of your vehicle so that 

the State-issued license number is 

readable. Prior to leaving the refuge, you 

must complete the card and deposit it 

at one of the refuge information stations. 

Include all game harvested, and if you 

harvest no game, report ‘‘0.’’ We 

prohibit hunters possessing more than 

one Harvest Report at a time. 

* * * * * 

(2) * * * 

(ii) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (c)(1)(i), (ii), (iv), (v), and (ix) 

of this section apply. 

(3) * * * 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (c)(1)(i), (ii), (iv), (v), and (ix) 

of this section apply. 

* * * * * 

(d) Grand Bay National Wildlife 

Refuge—(1) Migratory game bird 

hunting. We allow hunting of goose, 

duck, coot, and dove (mourning and 

white-winged) on designated areas of 

the refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) Each hunter must possess and 

carry a signed copy of the refuge 

brochure while participating in refuge 

hunts. 

(ii) Hunters must remove all decoys, 

blind material, and harvested waterfowl 

from the refuge at the end of each day’s 

hunt (see § 27.93 of this chapter). 

(iii) You must only use portable or 

temporary blinds. 

(iv) We only allow the use of dogs 

when waterfowl hunting. We require all 

dogs to wear a collar displaying the 

owner’s contact information. 

(v) We allow incidental take of coyote 

and nutria during any refuge hunt with 

the weapons legal for that hunt, subject 

to applicable State seasons and 

regulations. 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of squirrel (gray and fox) and 

rabbit (cottontail and swamp), and 

incidental take of coyote and nutria, on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (d)(1)(i) and (v) of this 

section apply. 

(ii) We only allow .22 caliber rimfire 

rifles. 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of white-tailed deer, and 

incidental take of feral hog, on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (d)(1)(i) and (v) of this 

section apply. 

(ii) We only allow hunting with bow 

and arrow. We prohibit firearms. 

(iii) We allow portable and climbing 

tree stands. Hunters must remove tree 

stands from the refuge at the end of each 

day’s hunt (see § 27.93 of this chapter). 

(iv) We prohibit organized deer 

drives. We define a ‘‘deer drive’’ as an 

organized or planned effort to pursue, 

drive, chase, or otherwise frighten or 

cause deer to move in the direction of 

any person(s) who is part of the 

organized or planned hunt and known 

to be waiting for the deer. 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport 

fishing on designated areas of the refuge 

subject to the following conditions: 

(i) Anglers may enter the refuge no 

earlier than 30 minutes prior to sunrise 

and must leave the refuge no later than 

30 minutes after legal sunset each day. 

(ii) We prohibit fishing from legal 

sunset to legal sunrise. 

(e) * * * 

(1) * * * 

(iii) Before hunting or fishing, all 

participants must display their Daily 

Visitor Information/Harvest Report Card 

(Harvest Report, FWS Form 3–2542) in 

plain view in their vehicle so that the 

State-issued license number is readable. 

You must return all cards upon 

completion of the activity and before 

leaving the refuge. 

* * * * * 

(3) * * * 

(iv) The refuge brochure provides deer 

check station locations and 

requirements. Prior to leaving the 

refuge, you must check all harvested 

deer at the nearest self-service check 

station (Harvest Report, FWS Form 3– 

2542) following the posted instructions. 

* * * * * 

(f) * * * 

(2) * * * 

(iii) Before hunting or fishing, all 

participants must display their Daily 

Visitor Information/Harvest Report Card 

(Harvest Report, FWS Form 3–2542) in 

plain view in their vehicle so that the 

required information is readable. You 

must return all cards upon completion 

of the activity and before leaving the 

refuge. 

* * * * * 

(g) * * * 

(1) * * * 

(iii) Before hunting or fishing, all 

participants must display their Daily 

Visitor Information/Harvest Report Card 

(Harvest Report, FWS Form 3–2542) in 

plain view in their vehicle so that the 

required information is readable. You 

must return all cards upon completion 

of the activity and before leaving the 

refuge. 

* * * * * 

(h) * * * 

(1) * * * 

(iii) Before hunting or fishing, all 

participants must display their Daily 

Visitor Information/Harvest Report Card 

(Harvest Report, FWS Form 3–2542) in 

plain view in their vehicle so that the 

required information is readable. You 

must return all cards upon completion 

of the activity and before leaving the 

refuge. 

* * * * * 

(3) * * * 

(iv) The refuge brochure provides deer 

check station locations and 

requirements. Prior to leaving the 

refuge, you must check all harvested 

deer at the nearest self-service check 

station (Harvest Report, FWS Form 3– 

2542) following the posted instructions. 

* * * * * 

(i) * * * 

(1) * * * 

(iii) Before hunting or fishing, all 

participants must display their Daily 

Visitor Information/Harvest Report Card 

(Harvest Report, FWS Form 3–2542) in 

plain view in their vehicle so that the 

required information is readable. You 

must return all cards upon completion 

of the activity and before leaving the 

refuge. 

* * * * * 

(3) * * * 

(iv) The refuge brochure provides deer 

check station locations and 

requirements. Prior to leaving the 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
48870 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

refuge, you must check all harvested 

deer at the nearest self-service check 

station (Harvest Report, FWS Form 3– 

2542) following the posted instructions. 

* * * * * 

(j) Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee 

National Wildlife Refuge—(1) Migratory 

game bird hunting. We allow hunting of 

duck, light and dark goose, merganser, 

woodcock, crow, gallinule (purple and 

common), snipe, and coot on designated 

areas of the refuge subject to the 

following conditions: 

(i) Hunters and anglers must purchase 

a North Mississippi Refuge Complex 

Hunting/Fishing Permit (#606), 

available from the Mississippi 

Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and 

Parks (MDWFP). 

(ii) Youth hunters age 15 and younger 

and hunters age 65 and older are not 

required to obtain a North Mississippi 

Refuge Complex Hunting/Fishing 

Permit (#606). 

(iii) Hunters must remove all decoys, 

blind material, and harvested game from 

the refuge by 1 p.m. each day (see 

§§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter). 

(iv) Hunters may enter the refuge at 4 

a.m. and must exit the refuge no later 

than 2 hours after legal sunset, except 

during raccoon hunts. Waterfowl 

hunters must exit the refuge no later 

than 1 p.m. 

(v) Each hunter must obtain a daily 

Harvest Report (FWS Form 3–2542). 

Hunters must display the card in plain 

view on the dashboard of the vehicle. 

Prior to leaving the refuge, hunters must 

complete the card and deposit it at one 

of the refuge information stations. 

Hunters must include all game 

harvested and if you harvest no game, 

report ‘‘0’’. We prohibit hunters 

possessing more than one Harvest 

Report at a time. 

(vi) We limit waterfowl hunters to 25 

shotshells per person. 

(vii) Hunters must remove all 

personal property at the end of each 

day’s hunt from the Noxubee 

Wilderness Area (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 

of this chapter). Outside the Noxubee 

Wilderness Area, hunters may leave tree 

stands labeled with the hunter’s State 

hunting license number used for deer 

hunting. 

(viii) We allow hunting of waterfowl 

(duck, light and dark goose, merganser, 

coot, and gallinule) during State 

seasons, including the State Light Goose 

Conservation Order, only on Wednesday 

and Saturdays ending at 12 p.m. 

(ix) We allow the use of dogs for 

retrieval of migratory and upland game 

only. 

(x) We allow incidental take of coyote, 

beaver, nutria, skunk, fox, and feral hog 

during any refuge hunt with the 

weapons legal for that hunt, subject to 

applicable State seasons and 

regulations. 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of squirrel, rabbit, quail, 

opossum, and raccoon, and incidental 

take of coyote, fox, skunk, beaver, and 

nutria, on designated areas of the refuge 

subject to the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (j)(1)(i), (ii), (iv), (v), (vii), 

(ix), and (x) of this section apply. 

(ii) We allow raccoon and opossum 

hunting between the hours of legal 

sunset and legal sunrise. 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of white-tailed deer turkey, and 

incidental take of feral hog, on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (j)(1)(i), (ii), (iv), (v), (vii), 

and (x) of this section apply. 

(ii) We prohibit the use of buckshot 

on the refuge. 

(iii) We prohibit organized deer 

drives. We define a ‘‘deer drive’’ as an 

organized or planned effort to pursue, 

drive, chase, or otherwise frighten or 

cause deer to move in the direction of 

any person(s) who is part of the 

organized or planned hunt and known 

to be waiting for the deer. 

(iv) You may place one portable tree 

stand or ground blind for deer hunting 

on the refuge only during the open deer 

season. You must clearly label the stand 

or blind with your State hunting license 

number. 

(v) While climbing a tree, installing a 

tree stand that uses climbing aids, or 

hunting from a tree stand on the refuge, 

you must use a fall-arrest system (full 

body harness) that is manufactured to 

the Treestand Manufacturer’s 

Association standards. 

(vi) Hunters may place deer stands on 

the refuge 7 days prior to the hunt, and 

hunters must remove deer stands no 

more than 7 days after the refuge’s deer 

season closes (see § 27.93 of this 

chapter). 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport 

fishing on designated areas of the refuge 

subject to the following conditions: 

(i) The general sport fishing, boating, 

and bow fishing season extends from 

March 1 through October 31, except that 

we open the shoreline of Bluff Lake 

from the Bluff Lake Boardwalk to the 

visitor center, the entire Noxubee River, 

and all borrow pit areas along Highway 

25 to fishing year-round. 

(ii) The condition set forth at 

paragraph (j)(1)(i) of this section applies. 

(iii) Anglers must keep boat travel at 

idle speed, and they must not create a 

wake when moving. 

(iv) When left unattended, anglers 

must tag fishing gear with their State 

fishing license number. Anglers must 

check all gear within 24 hours each day 

or remove these devices (see § 27.93 of 

this chapter). 

(v) We allow trotlining on the refuge 

subject to the following conditions: 

(A) Anglers must label each end of the 

trotline floats with the owner’s State 

fishing license number. 

(B) We limit trotlines to one line per 

person, and we allow no more than two 

trotlines per boat. 

(C) Anglers must tend all trotlines 

every 24 hours, and must remove them 

when not in use (see § 27.93 of this 

chapter). 

(D) Trotlines must possess at least 6- 

inch (15.2-centimeter) cotton string 

leads. 

(vi) We allow jug fishing on the refuge 

subject to the following conditions: 

(A) Anglers must label each jug with 

their State fishing license number. 

(B) Anglers must check all jugs every 

24 hours, and must remove them when 

not in use (see § 27.93 of this chapter). 

(vii) We prohibit bow fishing after 

legal sunset. 

(viii) We prohibit fishing tournaments 

on all refuge waters. 

(ix) We prohibit the taking of frogs, 

turtles, and crawfish (see § 27.21 of this 

chapter). 

(x) We prohibit using nets of any type 

to capture free-roaming fish or wildlife. 

You may use a fishing net to recover 

fish caught by hook and line. 

(xi) Outside the Noxubee Wilderness 

Area, anglers may leave trotlines and 

jugs used for fishing overnight if they 

are labeled with the angler’s State 

fishing license number. 

* * * * * 

(l) * * * 

(1) * * * 

(iv) Each hunter must obtain a daily 

Harvest Report (FWS Form 3–2542). 

You must display the card in plain view 

on the dashboard of your vehicle so that 

the State-issued license number is 

readable. Prior to leaving the refuge, you 

must complete the card and deposit it 

at one of the refuge information stations. 

Include all game harvested, and if you 

harvest no game, report ‘‘0.’’ We 

prohibit hunters possessing more than 

one Harvest Report at a time. 

* * * * * 

(2) * * * 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (l)(1)(i), (ii), (iv), (v), and (ix) 

of this section apply. 

* * * * * 

(3) * * * 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 48871 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (l)(1)(i), (ii), and (iv) of this 

section apply. 

* * * * * 

(m) * * * 

(1) * * * 

(iii) Before hunting or fishing, all 

participants must display their Daily 

Visitor Information/Harvest Report Card 

(Harvest Report, FWS Form 3–2542) in 

plain view in their vehicle so that the 

required information is readable. You 

must return all cards upon completion 

of the activity and before leaving the 

refuge. 

* * * * * 

(3) * * * 

(iv) The refuge brochure provides deer 

check station locations and 

requirements. Prior to leaving the 

refuge, you must check all harvested 

deer at the nearest self-service check 

station (Harvest Report, FWS Form 3– 

2542) following the posted instructions. 

* * * * * 

■ 17. Amend § 32.44 by revising 

paragraphs (b)(3)(i), (f)(2)(iii), and 

(f)(3)(ii) to read as follows: 

§ 32.44 Missouri. 

* * * * * 

(b) * * * 

(3) * * * 

(i) You must register at the hunter 

sign-in/out station and record the sex 

and age of deer harvested on the Harvest 

Report (FWS Form 3–2542). 

* * * * * 

(f) * * * 

(2) * * * 

(iii) We require that all hunters 

complete a Harvest Report (FWS Form 

3–2542) located at the exit kiosks prior 

to exiting the refuge. 

* * * * * 

(3) * * * 

(ii) We require that all hunters 

complete the Harvest Report (FWS Form 

3–2542) located at the exit kiosks prior 

to exiting the refuge. 

* * * * * 

■ 18. Amend § 32.45 by: 

■ a. Revising paragraph (f)(3) 

introductory text; 

■ b. Adding paragraph (f)(3)(iv); 

■ c. Removing paragraph (q); 

■ d. Redesignating paragraphs (r) 

through (y) as paragraphs (q) through 

(x); 

■ e. Revising newly redesignated 

paragraph (w)(3) introductory text; and 

■ f. Adding paragraph (w)(3)(iv). 

The revisions and additions read as 

follows: 

§ 32.45 Montana. 

* * * * * 

(f) * * * 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of elk, pronghorn, white-tailed 

deer, mule deer, and mountain lion on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

* * * * * 

(iv) Mountain lion hunting will follow 

State-established dates for the archeryonly and fall seasons. 

* * * * * 

(w) * * * 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of elk, pronghorn, white-tailed 

deer, mule deer, and mountain lion on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

* * * * * 

(iv) Mountain lion hunting will follow 

State-established dates for the archeryonly and fall seasons. 

* * * * * 

■ 19. Amend § 32.47 by adding 

paragraphs (b)(1) and (2) to read as 

follows: 

§ 32.47 Nevada. 

* * * * * 

(b) * * * 

(1) Migratory game bird hunting. We 

allow hunting of dove on designated 

areas of the refuge subject to the 

following conditions: 

(i) We allow hunting on designated 

days. 

(ii) You may not possess more than 25 

shot shells while in the field once you 

have left your vehicle. 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of chukar and quail on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following condition: The conditions 

set forth at paragraphs (b)(1)(i) and (ii) 

of this section apply. 

* * * * * 

■ 20. Amend § 32.48 by revising 

paragraph (b) to read as follows: 

§ 32.48 New Hampshire. 

* * * * * 

(b) Silvio O. Conte National Fish and 

Wildlife Refuge—(1) Migratory game 

bird hunting. We allow hunting of duck, 

goose, coot, common snipe, and 

American woodcock on designated 

areas of the refuge subject to the 

following condition: We allow the use 

of dogs consistent with State 

regulations, except hunters using more 

than two dogs must possess a Special 

Use Permit (FWS Form 3–1383–G) 

issued by the refuge manager. 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of coyote, fox, raccoon, 

woodchuck, red squirrel, eastern gray 

squirrel, porcupine, skunk, crow, 

snowshoe hare, muskrat, opossum, 

fisher, mink, weasel, ring-necked 

pheasant, and ruffed grouse on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) We allow the use of dogs consistent 

with State regulations, except hunters 

using more than two dogs must possess 

a Special Use Permit (FWS Form 3– 

1383–G) issued by the refuge manager. 

(ii) We allow the training of dogs as 

governed by State regulations during 

daylight hours beginning August 1, if 

the trainer possesses a Special Use 

Permit (FWS Form 3–1383–G) issued by 

the refuge manager. 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of white-tailed deer, moose, 

black bear, and wild turkey on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (b)(2)(i) and (ii) of this 

section apply. 

(ii) We allow tree stands and blinds 

that are clearly marked with the owner’s 

State hunting license number. 

(iii) You must remove your tree 

stand(s) and blind(s) no later than 72 

hours after the close of the season (see 

§ 27.93 of this chapter). 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport 

fishing on designated areas of the 

refuge. 

* * * * * 

■ 21. Amend § 32.49 by: 

■ a. Revising paragraphs (a), (c), (d), and 

(e)(2)(ii); 

■ b. Adding paragraph (e)(3)(iii); and 

■ c. Revising paragraphs (e)(4) 

introductory text and (e)(4)(i) and (iv). 

The revisions and addition read as 

follows: 

§ 32.49 New Jersey. 

* * * * * 

(a) Cape May National Wildlife 

Refuge—(1) Migratory game bird 

hunting. We allow hunting of light 

goose, dark goose, duck, sea duck, 

gallinule, coot, rail, snipe, crow, and 

woodcock on designated areas of the 

refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) We allow the use of dogs consistent 

with State regulations. 

(ii) The snipe and crow season on the 

refuge begins with the start of the State 

woodcock south zone season and 

continues through the end of the State 

snipe and crow seasons. 

(iii) We prohibit falconry. 

(iv) We prohibit night hunting from 1⁄2

hour after legal sunset until 1⁄2 hour 

before legal sunrise the following day. 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of coyote, fox, woodchuck, 

rabbit, squirrel, and pheasant on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
48872 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (iii), and (iv) of this 

section apply. 

(ii) We allow woodchuck hunting 

from the beginning of the State 

woodcock south zone season until the 

end of the State rabbit season. 

(iii) Coyote, fox, rabbit, squirrel, and 

pheasant seasons open at the beginning 

of the State woodcock south zone 

season and close in accordance with the 

State seasons for each species. 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of white-tailed deer and turkey 

on designated areas of the refuge subject 

to the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (a)(1)(i), (iii), and (iv) of this 

section apply. 

(ii) Tree stands must be marked with 

the owner’s New Jersey conservation 

identification number. 

(iii) We allow turkey hunting during 

the State fall season. 

(iv) We require the use of nontoxic 

ammunition for turkey hunting. 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow saltwater 

sport fishing on designated areas of the 

refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) We allow fishing from 1 hour 

before legal sunrise to 1 hour after legal 

sunset. 

(ii) We close the Atlantic Ocean 

portion of the Two Mile Beach Unit 

annually to all access, including fishing, 

between April 1 and September 30. 

(iii) We prohibit fishing for, or 

possession of, crab or shellfish on refuge 

lands. 

* * * * * 

(c) Great Swamp National Wildlife 

Refuge—(1) Migratory game bird 

hunting. We allow hunting of Canada 

goose on designated areas of the refuge 

subject to the following conditions: 

(i) We allow the use of dogs consistent 

with State regulations. 

(ii) Hunters must obtain a refuge hunt 

permit (FWS Form 3–2439), and possess 

the signed refuge permit at all times 

while hunting or scouting on the refuge. 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of coyote and fox on designated 

areas of the refuge subject to the 

following condition: We only allow the 

incidental take of coyote and fox during 

the refuge deer and turkey hunts. 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of white-tailed deer and wild 

turkey on designated areas of the refuge 

subject to the following conditions: 

(i) We require the use of nontoxic shot 

while hunting wild turkey. 

(ii) We allow hunters to use sleds to 

retrieve deer in the Wilderness Area east 

of Long Hill/New Vernon Road. We 

prohibit wheeled game carriers in the 

Wilderness Area. 

(iii) We prohibit organized deer 

drives. We define a ‘‘deer drive’’ as an 

organized or planned effort to pursue, 

drive, chase, or otherwise frighten or 

cause deer to move in the direction of 

any person(s) who is part of the 

organized or planned hunt and known 

to be waiting for the deer. 

(4) [Reserved] 

(d) Supawna Meadows National 

Wildlife Refuge—(1) Migratory game 

bird hunting. We allow hunting of light 

goose, dark goose, duck, sea duck, 

gallinule, coot, crow, rail, and snipe on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) We allow the use of dogs consistent 

with State regulations. 

(ii) We prohibit falconry. 

(iii) We prohibit night hunting from 1⁄2 hour after legal sunset until 1⁄2 hour 

before legal sunrise the following day. 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of coyote, fox, woodchuck, 

rabbit, squirrel, and pheasant on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) We allow woodchuck hunting only 

during the State coyote and fox seasons. 

(ii) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (d)(1)(ii) and (iii) of this 

section apply. 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of white-tailed deer and turkey 

on designated areas of the refuge subject 

to the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (d)(1)(i) through (iii) of this 

section apply. 

(ii) We require the use of nontoxic 

ammunition for turkey hunting. 

(iii) We allow archery hunting for 

white-tailed deer during all six State 

Deer Management Zone 63 seasons and 

on youth hunting days. 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport 

fishing on designated areas of the refuge 

subject to the following conditions: 

(i) We prohibit the taking of frogs and 

turtles from all nontidal waters and 

refuge lands (see § 27.21 of this chapter). 

(ii) We allow fishing in designated 

nontidal waters from 1 hour before legal 

sunrise to 1 hour after legal sunset. 

(iii) We prohibit bow fishing in 

nontidal waters. 

(iv) We prohibit fishing for, or 

possession of, crab and shellfish on 

refuge lands. 

(e) * * * 

(2) * * * 

(ii) We prohibit night hunting from 1⁄2

hour after legal sunset until 1⁄2 hour 

before legal sunrise the following day. 

(3) * * * 

(iii) We require the use of nontoxic 

ammunition for turkey hunting. 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport 

fishing on designated areas of the refuge 

subject to the following conditions: 

(i) At Owens Station Crossing and 

Hidden Ponds fishing areas, we allow 

catch-and-release fishing only. 

* * * * * 

(iv) We prohibit minnow and bait 

trapping. 

■ 22. Amend § 32.50 by: 

■ a. Redesignating paragraph (b)(3)(iii) 

as paragraph (b)(3)(iv); 

■ b. Adding new paragraphs (b)(3)(iii) 

and (v); and 

■ c. Revising paragraphs (c) and 

(f)(1)(iv). 

The additions and revisions read as 

follows: 

§ 32.50 New Mexico. 

* * * * * 

(b) * * * 

(3) * * * 

(iii) We allow hunting of bearded Rio 

Grande turkey on the Bajada Hunt Unit, 

East Hunt Unit, and West Hunt Unit 

during the general spring turkey season 

only, as defined by the State. You may 

take bearded Rio Grande turkey only 

with a method allowed within each 

refuge hunt unit. 

* * * * * 

(v) In the Bajada Hunt Unit, we 

restrict the methods of take to bow and 

arrow, crossbow, and muzzleloader or 

muzzleloading shotguns only, as 

defined by the State. In the East Hunt 

Unit and West Hunt Unit, we allow any 

legal weapon during State big game 

hunting designated dates. 

* * * * * 

(c) Las Vegas National Wildlife 

Refuge—(1) Migratory game bird 

hunting. We allow hunting of mourning 

and white-winged dove and goose on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) We allow the use of dogs when 

hunting. 

(ii) Hunters must possess a permit 

(FWS Form 3–2439). 

(iii) We allow the hunting of dove 

from September 1 to September 30. 

(iv) We allow the hunting of goose on 

dates to be determined by refuge staff. 

(v) Shooting hours for geese are from 1⁄2 hour before legal sunrise until 1 p.m. 

local time. 

(vi) We assign an aggregate bag limit 

for geese. 

(vii) We prohibit falconry on the 

refuge. 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of Eurasian collared-dove, 

desert cottontail, and Eastern cottontail 

on designated areas of the refuge subject 

to the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (c)(1)(i), (ii), and (vii) of this 

section apply. 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 48873 

(ii) We allow the hunting of Eurasian 

collared-dove and cottontail rabbits 

from September 1 to September 30. 

(iii) We allow only shotgun, 

muzzleloading shotgun firing shot, bow 

and arrow, and crossbow for hunting. 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow youth 

elk hunts on designated areas of the 

refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) Hunters must attend a refuge 

hunter orientation before hunting on the 

refuge. 

(ii) Hunters may be accompanied by 

a maximum of two non-hunting guests. 

(iii) Hunters are assigned a hunt unit. 

(4) [Reserved] 

* * * * * 

(f) * * * 

(1) * * * 

(iv) In Units A and B, the Cornerstone 

Marsh Unit and Pintail blind, we 

require a Mobility-Impaired 

Certification (per Mobility-Impaired 

Certification in the State hunting rules 

and information pamphlet). 

* * * * * 

■ 23. Amend § 32.51 by: 

■ a. Revising paragraphs (c)(1)(ii)(E), (d), 

(i)(2) introductory text, and (i)(2)(ii); 

■ b. Adding paragraph (i)(3)(iii); and 

■ c. Revising paragraphs (i)(4)(i), (iii), 

and (iv). 

The revisions and addition read as 

follows: 

§ 32.51 New York. 

* * * * * 

(c) * * * 

(1) * * * 

(ii) * * * 

(E) We allow hunting from legal 

starting time until 12 p.m. (noon). We 

require hunters to return a completed 

Harvest Report (FWS Form 3–2542) no 

later than 1 p.m. on the day of the hunt. 

* * * * * 

(d) Montezuma National Wildlife 

Refuge—(1) Migratory game bird 

hunting. We allow hunting of 

waterfowl, Canada goose, snow goose, 

and gallinule on designated areas of the 

refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) We allow the use of dogs consistent 

with State regulations. 

(ii) For the regular waterfowl season 

and October through January season for 

Canada goose: 

(A) We require daily refuge permits 

(FWS Form 3–2542) and reservations; 

we issue permits to hunters with a 

reservation for that hunt day. Permits 

may become available on a first-come/ 

first-served, self-serve basis during New 

York State’s second split, subject to 

hunting conditions and the refuge 

manager’s discretion. We require you to 

complete and return your permit by the 

end of the hunt day. 

(B) We allow hunting only on 

Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays 

during the established refuge season set 

within the State western zone season, 

and during New York State’s established 

special hunts, which can occur any day 

of the week as set by the State. 

(C) All hunters with reservations and 

their hunting companions must checkin at the Route 89 Hunter Check Station 

area at least 1 hour before legal shooting 

time or forfeit their reservation. 

(D) We allow motorless boats to hunt 

waterfowl. We limit hunters to one boat 

per reservation and one motor vehicle in 

the hunt area per reservation. Hunters 

may enter the refuge/Hunter Check 

Station area no earlier than 2 hours 

before legal sunrise. 

(E) We prohibit shooting from within 

500 feet (152 meters) of the Tschache 

Pool observation tower. 

(F) We require proof of successful 

completion of the New York State 

waterfowl identification course, the 

Montezuma nonresident waterfowl 

identification course, or a suitable 

nonresident State waterfowl 

identification course. All hunters must 

show proof of successful course 

completion each time they hunt. 

(G) You may hunt gallinule and 

Canada goose on refuge areas designated 

for the regular waterfowl season only 

during the regular waterfowl season. 

(iii) For Canada goose in September 

and snow goose hunting: 

(A) We allow hunting of Canada goose 

during the New York State September 

season and hunting of snow goose 

during portions of the New York State 

snow goose season and portions of the 

period covered by the Light Goose 

Conservation Order. 

(B) You must possess a valid daily 

hunt permit (FWS Form 3–2542). We 

require you to complete and return the 

daily hunt permit card by the end of the 

hunt day. 

(C) For snow goose hunting, hunters 

may enter the refuge/Hunter Check 

Station area no earlier than 4 hours 

before legal sunrise. For Canada goose 

hunting, hunters may enter the refuge/ 

Hunter Check Station area no earlier 

than 2 hours before legal sunrise. 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of rabbit and squirrel on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) The condition set forth at 

paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section 

applies. 

(ii) You must possess a valid daily 

hunt permit (FWS Form 3–2542) and are 

required to complete and return the 

daily hunt permit card by the end of 

each hunt day. 

(iii) We allow upland game hunters to 

access the refuge from 2 hours before 

legal sunrise until 2 hours after legal 

sunset. 

(iv) We require the use of approved 

nontoxic shot for upland game hunting 

(see § 32.2(k)). 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of white-tailed deer and wild 

turkey on designated areas of the refuge 

subject to the following conditions: 

(i) The condition set forth at 

paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section 

applies. 

(ii) You must possess a valid daily 

hunt permit (FWS Form 3–2542). We 

require you to complete and return the 

daily hunt permit card by the end of the 

hunt day. 

(iii) We allow white-tailed deer and 

turkey hunters to access the refuge from 

2 hours before legal sunrise until 2 

hours after the end of legal shooting 

time. 

(iv) We allow youth and special big 

game hunts during New York State’s 

established youth and special big game 

hunts each year. 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow access for 

fishing from designated areas of the 

refuge subject to the following 

condition: We prohibit the use of lead 

fishing tackle. 

* * * * * 

(i) * * * 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of rabbit/hare, gray/black/fox 

squirrel, pheasant, jackrabbit, chukar, 

woodchuck, bobwhite quail, ruffed 

grouse, crow, red/gray fox, coyote, 

bobcat, raccoon, skunk, mink, weasel, 

and opossum on designated areas of the 

refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

* * * * * 

(ii) We prohibit night hunting from 1⁄2

hour after legal sunset until 1⁄2 hour 

before legal sunrise the following day. 

(3) * * * 

(iii) We require nontoxic ammunition 

while hunting turkey. 

(4) * * * 

(i) At Owens Station Crossing and 

Hidden Ponds fishing areas, we allow 

catch-and-release fishing only. 

* * * * * 

(iii) We prohibit the taking of 

amphibians and reptiles (see § 27.21 of 

this chapter). 

(iv) We prohibit minnow and bait 

trapping. 

* * * * * 

■ 24. Amend § 32.52 by: 

■ a. Revising paragraph (d); 

■ b. Adding paragraph (e)(1); and 

■ c. Revising paragraph (e)(3). 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
48874 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

The revisions and addition read as 

follows: 

§ 32.52 North Carolina. 

* * * * * 

(d) Great Dismal Swamp National 

Wildlife Refuge. Refer to § 32.65(g) for 

regulations. 

(e) * * * 

(1) Migratory game bird hunting. We 

allow hunting of swan, light and dark 

goose, duck, merganser, coot, moorhen, 

and gallinule on designated areas of the 

refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) We require a North Carolina 

Waterfowl Hunt Permit or a signed 

refuge hunt brochure that must be 

carried while hunting on the refuge. 

(ii) Hunters must hunt from their 

assigned blind location. 

(iii) We allow hunting from 1⁄2 hour 

before legal sunrise to 4:20 p.m. (as 

governed by County regulations). 

(iv) We allow hunters to access the 

refuge 11⁄2 hours before legal shooting 

time until 5:20 p.m. 

(v) We allow incidental take of coyote 

and feral hog while hunting. 

* * * * * 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of deer, and incidental take of 

feral hog, on designated areas of the 

refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) We require a signed refuge hunt 

brochure that hunters must sign and 

carry while hunting on the refuge. 

(ii) We allow the use of shotguns, 

muzzleloading rifles/shotguns, pistols, 

crossbows, and bows. We prohibit the 

use of all other rifles. 

(iii) We allow access to hunting areas 

from 5 a.m. until 8 p.m. 

(iv) We prohibit carrying a loaded 

firearm on or within 50 feet (15 meters) 

of gravel roads. 

(v) The condition set forth at 

paragraph (e)(1)(v) of this section 

applies. 

* * * * * 

■ 25. Amend § 32.53 by: 

■ a. Removing paragraph (e)(3)(i); 

■ b. Redesignating paragraphs (e)(3)(ii) 

and (iii) as paragraphs (e)(3)(i) and (ii); 

and 

■ c. Revising the heading of paragraph 

(k). 

The revision reads as follows: 

§ 32.53 North Dakota. 

* * * * * 

(k) Canfield Lake National Wildlife 

Refuge. 

* * * * * 

■ 26. Amend § 32.55 by: 

■ a. Revising paragraphs (a)(1)(i), 

(a)(3)(i), (b)(1)(iii), (b)(2)(iii), (b)(3)(vi), 

(d)(2)(i), and (f)(1)(i) and (ii); 

■ b. Removing paragraph (f)(1)(iv); 

■ c. Redesignating paragraphs (f)(1)(v) 

through (vii) as paragraphs (f)(1)(iv) 

through (vi); and 

■ d. Revising paragraphs (f)(2) 

introductory text, (f)(2)(i), (f)(3)(i) and 

(ii), (f)(4), (g)(1)(ii), (g)(4)(ii), (i)(1)(i), 

(j)(1)(i), and (j)(4). 

The revisions read as follows: 

§ 32.55 Oklahoma. 

* * * * * 

(a) * * * 

(1) * * * 

(i) You must possess and carry a 

signed refuge hunt brochure. 

* * * * * 

(3) * * * 

(i) You must possess and carry a 

signed refuge hunt brochure for the 

archery deer hunt. Hunters must turn in 

a Harvest Report (FWS Form 3–2542) by 

December 31 annually. Failure to 

submit the report will render the hunter 

ineligible for the next year’s limited 

season archery deer hunt. 

* * * * * 

(b) * * * 

(1) * * * 

(iii) You must possess and carry a 

signed refuge hunt brochure while 

hunting. 

* * * * * 

(2) * * * 

(iii) You may take beaver, raccoon, 

and coyote as incidental take to any 

daytime established refuge hunt with 

legal weapons and a signed hunt 

brochure for the current hunt season. 

* * * * * 

(3) * * * 

(vi) You may hunt feral hog during 

any established refuge hunting season. 

Signed refuge hunt brochure and legal 

weapons apply for the current hunting 

season. 

* * * * * 

(d) * * * 

(2) * * * 

(i) You must possess and carry a 

signed refuge hunt brochure. 

* * * * * 

(f) * * * 

(1) * * * 

(i) You must possess and carry a 

signed refuge hunt brochure. 

(ii) We open the refuge to hunting 

only on Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, 

and Tuesdays. We allow hunters to 

enter the Sandtown Bottom Unit or any 

portion of Sally Jones Lake beginning at 

5 a.m., and hunters must leave the area 

by 1 hour after legal sunset. 

* * * * * 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of Eastern gray and fox squirrel 

and swamp and Eastern cottontail rabbit 

on designated areas of the refuge subject 

to the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (f)(1)(i) through (vi) of this 

section apply. 

* * * * * 

(3) * * * 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (f)(1)(i) through (iii) and (vi) 

of this section apply. 

(ii) We require a limited hunt permit 

(State-issued) for controlled hunts for 

muzzleloader and archery deer, and for 

spring wild turkey hunts. 

* * * * * 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow fishing 

and frogging on designated areas of the 

refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) We prohibit fishing or frogging 

from September 1 through March 31 in 

the waterfowl sanctuary south of refuge 

headquarters, as designated by buoys 

and signs. 

(ii) You must remove setlines 

(trotlines, throwlines, juglines, 

limblines, yo-yos) from the waterfowl 

sanctuary before September 1 (see 

§ 27.93 of this chapter). 

(iii) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (f)(1)(v) and (vii) of this 

section apply. 

(iv) We prohibit the take of reptiles, 

amphibians (except bullfrogs), mollusks, 

and crayfish (see § 27.21 of this 

chapter). 

(v) We prohibit the use of setlines in 

creeks and tributaries entering the 

Arkansas River or Canadian River on the 

refuge. 

(g) * * * 

(1) * * * 

(ii) Hunters must possess and carry a 

signed hunt brochure. 

* * * * * 

(4) * * * 

(ii) Anglers may use boats from March 

1 through September 30 in designated 

waters unless otherwise specified on the 

fishing brochure. 

* * * * * 

(i) * * * 

(1) * * * 

(i) We require hunters to carry a 

signed refuge hunt brochure while 

hunting duck, goose, merganser, and 

sandhill crane. 

* * * * * 

(j) * * * 

(1) * * * 

(i) Hunters must possess a current 

signed refuge hunt brochure while 

hunting on the refuge. 

* * * * * 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow fishing on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 48875 

(i) You may take fish only with pole 

and line or rod and reel. 

(ii) We prohibit taking of frogs and 

turtles (see § 27.21 of this chapter). 

(iii) Anglers may use motorized boats 

on Elmer Thomas Lake; however, we 

enforce a no-wake rule on the lake. 

(iv) Anglers may use hand-powered 

boats or boats 14 feet or less in length 

with an electric trolling motor only on 

Elmer Thomas, Jed Johnson, Rush, 

Quanah Parker, and French Lakes. 

(v) We allow fishing after legal sunset 

on the refuge including by boat, but we 

prohibit all other boating after legal 

sunset. 

(vi) We prohibit fishing from public 

roadways and bridges opened to 

motorized vehicles. 

(vii) We allow wading when fishing, 

provided that wading anglers must use 

tube-type floaters, life jackets, or 

buoyant vests. 

(viii) We close Kiowa Lake to fishing 

except for shoreline fishing associated 

with a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Servicesponsored aquatic education program. 

■ 27. Amend § 32.56 by: 

■ a. Revising paragraphs (k)(1) through 

(3), (q)(1)(xi), (t)(1) introductory text, 

and (t)(1)(viii); 

■ b. Adding paragraph (u)(1); and 

■ c. Revising paragraph (u)(3). 

The revisions and addition read as 

follows: 

§ 32.56 Oregon. 

* * * * * 

(k) * * * 

(1) Migratory game bird hunting. We 

allow hunting of dove, goose, duck, 

merganser, coot, and snipe on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) We allow nonmotorized boats or 

boats equipped with only electric 

motors on the North and South Malheur 

Lake Hunt Units. 

(ii) We allow only portable and 

temporary hunting blinds. 

(iii) You must remove boats, decoys, 

blinds, materials, and all personal 

property at the end of each day’s hunt 

(see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter). 

(iv) You may take Eurasian collareddove only during the State mourning 

dove season. 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of pheasant, quail, partridge, 

chukar, rabbit, hare, and coyote on 

designated areas of the refuge. 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of deer and pronghorn on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) We allow only short-range 

weapons (archery, shotgun, and 

muzzleloader) on the Buena Vista Unit. 

(ii) Mule deer hunting in the Buena 

Vista Unit will close the Friday before 

the opening day of the Oregon 

Statewide rooster pheasant season. 

* * * * * 

(q) * * * 

(1) * * * 

(xi) Hunters must check-in and checkout with a refuge representative and 

submit a Harvest Report (FWS Form 3– 

2542) when checking out. 

* * * * * 

(t) * * * (1) Migratory game bird 

hunting. We allow hunting of duck and 

coot on designated areas of the refuge 

subject to the following conditions: 

* * * * * 

(viii) Hunters must submit a Harvest 

Report (FWS Form 3–2542) at the end 

of each day’s hunt. 

* * * * * 

(u) * * * 

(1) Migratory game bird hunting. We 

allow hunting of duck, goose, and coot 

on designated areas of the refuge subject 

to the following conditions: 

(i) We allow only portable and 

temporary hunting blinds. 

(ii) You must remove all blinds, 

decoys, shotshell hulls, and other 

personal equipment and garbage from 

the refuge at the end of each day’s hunt 

(see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter). 

(iii) Hunters may enter the refuge no 

earlier than 2 hours before legal 

shooting hours and must exit the refuge 

no later than 1 hour after legal shooting 

hours. 

(iv) We allow the use of dogs when 

hunting. 

* * * * * 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow deer 

and elk hunting on designated areas of 

the refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) You may harvest only antlerless 

elk. 

(ii) We require a refuge permit (FWS 

Form 3–2439) for hunting elk. 

(iii) We prohibit hunting from any 

refuge structure, observation blind, or 

boardwalk. 

(iv) We allow short-range weapons 

only. We allow archery hunting only on 

the William L. Finley and Snag Boat 

Bend Zone 2 hunt units. 

(v) Hunters may enter the refuge no 

earlier than 1 hour before legal shooting 

hours and must exit the refuge no later 

than 1 hour after legal shooting hours. 

* * * * * 

■ 28. Amend § 32.57 by revising 

paragraph (a)(2) to read as follows: 

§ 32.57 Pennsylvania. 

* * * * * 

(a) * * * 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of squirrel, grouse, rabbit, 

pheasant, quail, woodchuck, crow, fox, 

raccoon, opossum, skunk, weasel, 

coyote, chukar, and bobcat on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (iii) of this 

section apply. 

(ii) We prohibit night hunting from 1⁄2

hour after legal sunset until 1⁄2 hour 

before legal sunrise the following day. 

* * * * * 

■ 29. Amend § 32.59 by revising 

paragraphs (b)(3)(iii), (c)(1)(i), (ii) and 

(v), and (c)(3) to read as follows: 

§ 32.59 South Carolina. 

* * * * * 

(b) * * * 

(3) * * * 

(iii) Harvested deer, feral hog, or 

turkey must be checked at the 

designated check station prior to 

removal from the refuge. Hunters must 

complete the Harvest Report (FWS Form 

3–2542). 

* * * * * 

(c) * * * 

(1) * * * 

(i) We require each hunter to carry at 

all times while hunting a valid signed, 

current refuge hunting brochure. 

(ii) Each youth hunter (age 15 and 

younger) must remain within sight and 

normal voice contact of an assistant, 

parent, or guardian age 21 or older. 

Youth hunters must have successfully 

completed a State-approved hunter 

education course. 

* * * * * 

(v) We only allow the use of dogs 

when migratory game bird hunting. 

* * * * * 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of white-tailed deer and turkey, 

and incidental take of feral hog, on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (c)(1)(i) and (ii) of this 

section apply. 

(ii) Only youth hunters may hunt 

turkey on the refuge. 

(iii) Except for the special quota 

permit hunts, we allow only archery or 

muzzleloader hunting for deer. During 

special quota permit hunts, we allow 

use of centerfire rifles or shotguns. We 

only allow shotguns for turkey hunts. 

(iv) On hunt days, hunters and 

assistants, parents, or guardians may 

enter the refuge no earlier than 5 a.m. 

and must leave the refuge no later than 

1 hour after legal sunset. We allow 

hunting from 1⁄2 hour before official 

sunrise until 1⁄2 hour after official 

sunset. 

(v) We require all deer taken during 

any hunt to be checked at the 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
48876 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

designated refuge check station before 

removal from the refuge. In addition, all 

deer and turkey must be tagged (Stateissued). 

(vi) The refuge daily bag limit is two 

antlerless deer and one antlered buck 

that must have at least three antler 

points on one side. We define a ‘‘point’’ 

as an antler projection of at least 1 inch 

(2.5 centimeters) or more in length. The 

youth turkey hunter bag limit is one 

male turkey. 

(vii) We allow incidental take of feral 

hog during deer hunts only. There is no 

size or bag limit on hogs. We may offer 

special hog hunts during and after deer 

season to further control this invasive 

species. We prohibit removal of live 

hogs from the refuge. 

(viii) You must hunt deer from an 

elevated deer stand. We prohibit 

shooting big game from a boat. 

(ix) All permanently fixed ground 

blinds are for the mobility-impaired 

hunt only. 

(x) We prohibit crossbows on the 

archery hunts. We only allow 

muzzleloading rifles using a single 

projectile on the muzzleloader hunts. 

We prohibit buckshot. 

(xi) You may use flagging to mark the 

site of hunter entry from roads or trails 

and again at the stand site. You may use 

clothespins with reflective tape between 

these sites to mark the route to the 

stand. Hunters must label all such 

markers with their last name and State 

hunting license number. 

(xii) We require hunters to wear an 

outer garment visible above the waist 

that contains a minimum of 500 square 

inches (3,226 square centimeters) of 

solid, florescent-orange material at all 

times during the muzzleloader and 

mobility-impaired hunts for deer. 

(xiii) We prohibit organized deer 

drives. We define a ‘‘deer drive’’ as an 

organized or planned effort to pursue, 

drive, chase, or otherwise frighten or 

cause deer to move in the direction of 

any person(s) who is part of the 

organized or planned hunt and known 

to be waiting for the deer. 

(xiv) We prohibit accessing hunt units 

by watercraft. 

* * * * * 

■ 30. Amend § 32.60 by: 

■ a. Revising paragraph (b)(4)(i); 

■ b. Adding paragraph (b)(4)(iii); and 

■ c. Revising paragraph (h)(4). 

The revisions and addition read as 

follows: 

§ 32.60 South Dakota. 

* * * * * 

(b) * * * 

(4) * * * 

(i) We prohibit the use or possession 

of live minnows or bait fish. 

* * * * * 

(iii) We prohibit the use of lead 

fishing sinkers on all waters of the 

refuge except the Little River Recreation 

Area. 

* * * * * 

(h) * * * 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow fishing on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) Ice fishing anglers must not be on 

the ice until 1 hour prior to legal sunrise 

and must be off the ice by 1 hour after 

legal sunset. 

(ii) Ice fishing anglers must remove 

ice shacks by 1 hour after legal sunset 

(see § 27.93 of this chapter). 

(iii) We restrict angler foot travel to 

posted access points, public roads, and 

lake ice. 

(iv) We allow fishing with the use of 

nonmotorized boats, canoes, and 

kayaks. 

* * * * * 

■ 31. Amend § 32.62 by: 

■ a. Revising paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and 

(ii), (e)(1) introductory text, (e)(1)(i), (iii) 

and (ix); 

■ b. Adding paragraphs (e)(1)(x) through 

(xii); 

■ c. Revising paragraph (e)(4)(iii); 

■ d. Redesignating paragraph (e)(4)(iv) 

as paragraph (e)(4)(v); 

■ e. Adding new paragraphs (e)(4)(iv) 

and (g)(2); 

■ f. Revising paragraphs (g)(3), (h)(1)(i), 

(h)(2), (h)(3)(iv), (i)(3)(ii) and (iii); 

■ g. Removing paragraph (i)(3)(iv); 

■ h. Redesignating paragraphs (i)(3)(v) 

through (xi) as paragraphs (i)(3)(iv) 

through (x); 

■ i. Revising newly redesignated 

paragraphs (i)(3)(iv) and (viii); 

■ j. Revising paragraphs (i)(4), (j)(1)(i), 

(k)(1)(ii), (viii) and (xii); 

■ k. Redesignating paragraphs (l) 

through (n) as paragraphs (n) through 

(p); 

■ l. Adding new paragraphs (l) and (m); 

and 

■ m. Revising newly redesignated 

paragraphs (n)(4)(ii), (o)(1)(ii), (o)(4)(iii), 

(p)(2)(i) through (iii), and (p)(3)(i) and 

(ii). 

The revisions and additions read as 

follows: 

§ 32.62 Texas. 

* * * * * 

(a) * * * 

(1) * * * 

(i) You must carry a current signed 

refuge hunting permit (signed refuge 

hunt brochure) while waterfowl hunting 

on all refuge hunt units. 

(ii) Season dates for waterfowl will be 

concurrent with the State, except as 

specified in the refuge hunt brochure. 

* * * * * 

(e) * * * 

(1) Migratory game bird hunting. We 

allow hunting of goose, duck, coot, 

merganser, mourning dove, whitewinged dove, Eurasian collared-dove, 

and rock pigeon on designated areas of 

the refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) Season dates will be concurrent 

with the State for the September teal 

season; youth-only season; duck, coot, 

and merganser regular season in the 

Texas South Zone; goose regular season 

in the Texas East Zone; and dove and 

pigeon season in the Texas South Zone, 

including special white-winged dove 

days, except that we prohibit duck (not 

including the September teal and youthonly seasons), coot, and merganser 

hunting on the refuge until the last 

Saturday in October. If the Statespecified duck, coot, and merganser 

regular season opens later than the last 

Saturday in October, then hunting on 

the refuge will open consistent with the 

State-specified season date. 

* * * * * 

(iii) Hunters may enter the refuge 

waterfowl hunt units no earlier than 4 

a.m. Hunting starts at the designated 

legal shooting time and ends at 12 p.m. 

(noon). Hunters must leave refuge hunt 

units by 1 p.m. 

* * * * * 

(ix) You may access hunt units from 

land by foot or nonmotorized 

conveyance from designated parking 

areas and turn-arounds. You may access 

public waterfowl hunting areas by 

motorized boat from State waters, where 

applicable. 

(x) Hunters may enter the refuge 

dove/pigeon hunt units no earlier than 

30 minutes prior to designated legal 

shooting time and leave refuge hunt 

units no later than 30 minutes after legal 

sunset. 

(xi) Hunting dove and pigeon in the 

Farm Field Unit is only allowed after 

early teal season and will close before 

the beginning of general duck season in 

October. 

(xii) Hunters must possess a signed 

brochure on their person while hunting 

on the refuge. 

* * * * * 

(4) * * * 

(iii) We prohibit the use of trotlines, 

sail lines, set lines, jugs, gigs, spears, 

bush hooks, snatch hooks, crossbows, 

noodling, or bows and arrows of any 

type. 

(iv) Anglers age 17 and older fishing 

in Cannan Bend Recreation Area must 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 48877 

possess a day or annual fishing pass and 

a signed fishing brochure on their 

person. 

* * * * * 

(g) * * * 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

the hunting of Eastern gray and fox 

squirrel on designated areas of the 

refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) Squirrel hunting on the refuge will 

open with the close of the white-tailed 

deer season in January and close 

February 28. The season will reopen 

from May 1 through May 31. 

(ii) Hunters must possess and carry a 

signed refuge hunt brochure while 

hunting. 

(iii) We allow the use of shotgun only. 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of white-tailed deer and feral 

hog on designated areas of the refuge 

subject to the following conditions: 

(i) The refuge will determine season 

dates and bag limits. 

(ii) The condition set forth at 

paragraph (g)(2)(ii) of this section 

applies. 

(iii) Hunters age 17 and younger must 

be under the direct supervision of an 

adult age 18 or older. 

(iv) You may hunt feral hog during 

any established white-tailed deer refuge 

hunting season. You must obtain and 

possess a refuge signed hunt brochure 

and may only use legal weapons for the 

current hunting season. 

(v) We allow hunters to access the 

refuge no more than 2 hours before legal 

sunrise and no more than 2 hours after 

legal sunset. 

(vi) You may participate in the refuge 

firearms drawn deer hunt only with a 

Texas Parks and Wildlife Departmentdrawn hunt permit. 

(vii) We allow the use of only portable 

blinds and tree stands on the refuge. 

You must remove blinds, tree stands, 

and all other personal equipment from 

the refuge at the end of each day’s hunt 

(see § 27.93 of this chapter). 

(viii) We allow all-terrain vehicles for 

medically documented disabled hunters 

by Special Use Permit (FWS Form 3– 

1383–G only). 

* * * * * 

(h) * * * 

(1) * * * 

(i) You must possess and carry a 

signed refuge hunt brochure. 

* * * * * 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of fox squirrel and Eastern 

cottontail rabbit in the months of 

January, February, and September on 

designated areas of the refuge and 

subject to the following condition: The 

conditions set forth at paragraphs 

(h)(1)(i) through (vii) of this section 

apply. 

(3) * * * 

(iv) We allow muzzleloaders, bow and 

arrow, and shotguns only for feral hog 

and spring turkey hunts. You may 

possess only lead-free, approved 

nontoxic (steel, bismuth, copper, or 

tungsten; see § 32.2(k)) bullets, slugs, 

and shot (00 buck for hogs, no shell 

larger than #4 shot size for turkey). 

* * * * * 

(i) * * * 

(3) * * * 

(ii) We require hunters to attend 

refuge hunter orientation before hunting 

on the refuge. We require each hunter to 

obtain and carry with them a signed and 

dated refuge hunt brochure in addition 

to the State hunt permit. 

(iii) Bag limits for species hunted on 

the refuge are provided in the refuge 

hunt brochure annually. 

(iv) We allow a scouting period prior 

to the commencement of each refuge 

hunt period. A permitted hunter and a 

limit of two non-permitted individuals 

may enter the hunt units during the 

scouting period, which begins after 

hunter orientation and ends at legal 

sunset. Each hunter must clearly display 

a Vehicle Validation Tag (FWS Form 3– 

2405) face up on the vehicle dashboard 

when scouting and hunting. 

* * * * * 

(viii) During American alligator hunts, 

we allow hunters to leave hooks set over 

only one night period at a time; set lines 

must be checked daily. 

* * * * * 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow fishing 

and crabbing on designated areas of the 

refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) We allow only pole and line, rod 

and reel, hand line, dip net, and cast net 

for fishing. We prohibit the use of crab 

traps or pots for crabbing. 

(ii) Anglers must attend all fishing 

lines, crabbing equipment, and other 

fishing devices at all times. 

(iii) Inside the refuge boundary on 

San Martin Lake, we allow bank and 

wade fishing within a designated area, 

which may be accessed only on foot. 

(j) * * * 

(1) * * * 

(i) We require hunters to obtain a 

refuge hunt permit (signed refuge hunt 

brochure) and to possess and carry that 

signed refuge hunt brochure at all times 

during the designated hunt period. 

Hunters must also display the vehicle 

placard (part of the refuge hunt permit) 

while participating in the designated 

hunt period. 

* * * * * 

(k) * * * 

(1) * * * 

(ii) You must possess and carry a 

current signed refuge hunting permit 

(signed refuge hunt brochure) while 

hunting on all units of the refuge. 

* * * * * 

(viii) We only allow hunting in the 

Spaced Hunt Units on Saturdays, 

Sundays, and Tuesdays of the regular 

waterfowl season. We allow a maximum 

of four hunters per area. Hunters must 

possess and carry Special Fee Area 

Permits (signed refuge hunt brochure) 

while hunting. 

* * * * * 

(xii) We require a minimum distance 

between hunt parties, and between 

hunters and drivable roads and 

buildings, of 200 yards (183 meters). 

* * * * * 

(l) Muleshoe National Wildlife 

Refuge—(1) Migratory game bird 

hunting. We allow hunting of mourning 

dove, white-winged dove, and Eurasian 

collared-dove on designated areas of the 

refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) Hunters must possess and carry a 

signed refuge hunt brochure while 

hunting. 

(ii) During the dove season set by the 

State of Texas, we limit hunting to no 

more than 6 days with a maximum of 

12 hunters per season. 

(iii) We allow hunting from 1⁄2 hour 

before legal sunrise until 12 p.m. (noon). 

(iv) We require hunters to check in 

and out at refuge headquarters. 

(v) Hunters must exit the refuge no 

later than 45 minutes after legal sunset, 

unless they are camping in a designated 

camping area. From 45 minutes after 

legal sunset until 30 minutes before 

legal sunrise, we prohibit hunters in all 

areas of the refuge except designated 

camping areas. 

(vi) We allow the use of dogs when 

hunting. 

(vii) We only allow shotguns. 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

the hunting of Northern bobwhite and 

scaled (blue) quail on designated areas 

of the refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (l)(1)(i), and (iv) through 

(vii) of this section apply. 

(ii) During the first 2 weeks of the 

quail season set by the State of Texas, 

we limit hunting to no more than 6 days 

with a maximum of 12 hunters per 

season. 

(iii) We allow hunting from 8:30 a.m. 

to 4:30 p.m. 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow the 

hunting of white-tailed deer and mule 

deer, and the incidental take of feral 

hog, on designated areas of the refuge 

subject to the following conditions: 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
48878 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (l)(1)(i), (iv), and (v) of this 

section apply. 

(ii) Between October and January, we 

limit hunting to no more than 20 days 

with a maximum of 8 hunters per 

season. 

(iii) You may use only high-powered 

rifles of .242/6mm caliber or larger and 

archery equipment to hunt big game on 

the refuge. 

(4) [Reserved] 

(m) Neches River National Wildlife 

Refuge—(1) Migratory game bird 

hunting. We allow hunting of ducks, 

coot, and merganser on designated areas 

of the refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) Hunters may enter the refuge no 

earlier than 4:30 a.m. We allow hunting 

from the State-designated legal shooting 

time until 12 p.m. (noon). Hunters must 

leave refuge hunt units by 1 p.m. 

(ii) In Dead Water unit only, we allow 

the use of floating craft and motor boats, 

but only if they are propelled by 

paddling, push pole, or electric trolling 

motor. 

(iii) We prohibit hunting within 50 

yards (45 meters) of any road or trail, 

and within 200 yards (183 meters) of 

any building. 

(iv) We require each hunter to obtain 

and carry with them a signed refuge 

hunt brochure in addition to the State 

hunt permit. 

(v) You must remove all boats, blinds, 

temporary blinds, stands decoys, and 

other personal equipment following 

each hunt day (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 

of this chapter). 

(vi) We allow the use of dogs when 

hunting. 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of Eastern gray and fox squirrel, 

cottontail and swamp rabbit, raccoon, 

beaver, and coyote subject to the 

following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (m)(1)(iii), (iv), and (vi) of 

this section apply. 

(ii) We allow incidental take of beaver 

and coyote during any refuge hunt with 

the weapons legal for that hunt, subject 

to applicable State seasons and 

regulations. 

(iii) We allow the hunting of raccoon 

and coyote from legal sunset to legal 

sunrise. We allow artificial lighting for 

hunting raccoon and coyote. 

(iv) We require that refuge hunters 

turn in the Harvest Report (FWS Form 

3–2542) within 2 weeks of the end of 

your hunt. 

(v) We allow squirrel, rabbit, and 

raccoon hunting on the refuge from 

October 1 to 23. 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of white-tailed deer and feral 

hog on designated areas of the refuge 

subject to the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (m)(1)(iii) and (iv) of this 

section apply. 

(ii) We allow incidental take of feral 

hog during any refuge hunt with the 

weapons legal for that hunt, subject to 

applicable State seasons and 

regulations. 

(iii) We require a Harvest Report 

(FWS Form 3–2542) within 2 weeks of 

the end of your hunt. Failure to submit 

the Harvest Report will render the 

hunter ineligible for the next year’s 

hunt. 

(iv) We require a minimum distance 

between hunt parties of 150 yards (137 

meters). 

(v) We prohibit the use of dogs when 

feral hog hunting. 

(4) [Reserved] 

(n) * * * 

(4) * * * 

(ii) The condition set forth at 

paragraph (n)(1)(v) of this section 

applies. 

* * * * * 

(o) * * * 

(1) * * * 

(ii) You must possess and carry a 

current signed refuge hunting permit 

(signed refuge hunt brochure) while 

hunting on all hunt units of the refuge. 

* * * * * 

(4) * * * 

(iii) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (o)(1)(vi) and (vii) of this 

section apply. 

* * * * * 

(p) * * * 

(2) * * * 

(i) We require hunters to possess a 

refuge permit (signed refuge hunt 

brochure). The hunter must carry the 

nontransferable permit at all times 

while hunting. 

(ii) We require that refuge hunters 

turn in the Harvest Report (FWS Form 

3–2542) by the date specified on the 

permit. Failure to submit the report will 

render the hunter ineligible for the next 

year’s limited upland game hunt. 

(iii) The condition set forth at 

paragraph (p)(1)(v) of this section 

applies. 

* * * * * 

(3) * * * 

(i) We require a refuge permit (signed 

refuge hunt brochure) and Harvest 

Report (FWS Form 3–2542). Hunters 

must turn in both forms by the date 

specified on the permit. Failure to 

submit the Harvest Report will render 

the hunter ineligible for the next year’s 

limited big game hunt. Drawings are by 

lottery. The hunter must carry the 

nontransferable permit at all times 

while hunting. 

(ii) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (p)(1)(v) and (p)(2)(iv) 

through (vii) of this section apply. 

* * * * * 

■ 32. Amend § 32.63 by revising 

paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(3) introductory 

text to read as follows: 

§ 32.63 Utah. 

* * * * * 

(c) * * * (1) Migratory game bird 

hunting. We allow hunting of duck, 

coot, sandhill crane, and goose on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following condition: During hunting 

season, the refuge is open from 11⁄2

hours before legal sunrise to 11⁄2 hours 

after legal sunset. 

* * * * * 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of deer, pronghorn, and elk on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

* * * * * 

■ 33. Revise § 32.64 to read as follows: 

§ 32.64 Vermont. 

The following refuge units are open 

for hunting and/or fishing as governed 

by applicable Federal and State 

regulations, and are listed in 

alphabetical order with additional 

refuge-specific regulations. 

(a) Missisquoi National Wildlife 

Refuge—(1) Migratory game bird 

hunting. We allow hunting of goose, 

duck, brant, merganser, coot, woodcock, 

and snipe on designated areas of the 

refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) We allow the use of dogs consistent 

with State regulations, except hunters 

using more than two dogs must possess 

a Special Use Permit (FWS Form 3– 

1383–G) issued by the refuge manager. 

(ii) We require the use of dogs for 

hunting waterfowl in the Maquam 

Swamp, Long Marsh Channel/Metcalfe 

Island, and Saxes Pothole/Creek and 

Shad Island Pothole areas. 

(iii) We prohibit blind staking and 

unattended decoys. 

(iv) In the controlled waterfowl 

hunting areas: 

(A) Hunters must possess a refuge 

permit (FWS Form 3–2439). 

(B) Hunters may only hunt within 100 

feet (30 meters) of a numbered stake 

placed by the refuge staff. 

(v) In the Delta Lakeshore Area, we 

prohibit jumpshooting within 200 yards 

(183 meters) of a party hunting from a 

boat or blind. 

(vi) In the Maquam Shore Area: 

(A) We do not require a refuge permit 

to hunt or scout in this area. 

(B) We prohibit jumpshooting within 

200 yards (183 meters) of a party 

hunting from a boat or blind. 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 48879 

(vii) In the Saxes Pothole/Creek and 

Shad Island Pothole, each hunting party 

must possess and carry a permit (FWS 

Form 3–2439) for the specific zone on 

the specific day they are hunting in this 

area. Permits are not transferable. 

(viii) In the Junior Waterfowl Hunting 

Area: 

(A) Each junior hunter must possess 

and carry a permit (FWS Form 3–2439) 

for the assigned blind site and day. On 

Mentor Day, mentors must also possess 

and carry this permit for the assigned 

blind site. Each adult hunting party 

must possess and carry a permit for the 

blind site and day they are hunting. 

Permits are not transferable. 

(B) Shooting hours end at 11 a.m. 

(ix) In the Long Marsh Channel and 

Metcalfe Island: 

(A) We limit hunting to Tuesdays, 

Thursdays, and Saturdays throughout 

the waterfowl hunting season for duck. 

(B) Each hunting party must possess 

and carry a permit for the blind on the 

specific day they are hunting in this 

area. Permits are not transferable. 

(C) Shooting hours end at 11 a.m. 

(D) We close this area to waterfowl 

hunting during split seasons when geese 

are the only waterfowl that hunters may 

legally take. 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of cottontail rabbit, snowshoe 

hare, ruffed grouse, gray squirrel, 

coyote, red fox, gray fox, skunk, 

raccoon, weasel, and opossum on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) The condition set forth at 

paragraph (a)(1)(i) of this section 

applies. 

(ii) Prior to hunting, you must obtain 

from refuge headquarters and sign a 

current refuge hunt brochure (signed 

brochure). You must possess the signed 

refuge hunt brochure at all times while 

hunting, and you must hold a valid 

State hunting license. 

(iii) You may use only shotguns, 

muzzleloaders, or archery equipment on 

open areas east and north of Vermont 

Route 78, east of the Missisquoi River, 

and on Shad Island. 

(iv) We prohibit hunting from the end 

of the State snowshoe hare and rabbit 

season (early March) until September 1. 

(v) On the Eagle Point Unit, the 

conditions set forth at paragraphs 

(a)(2)(i) through (iii) of this section do 

not apply. 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of white-tailed deer, moose, 

bear, and turkey on designated areas of 

the refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) Prior to hunting, you must obtain 

from refuge headquarters and sign a 

current refuge hunt brochure (signed 

brochure). You must possess the signed 

refuge hunt brochure at all times while 

hunting, and you must hold a valid 

State hunting license. 

(ii) You may use only shotguns, 

muzzleloaders, or archery equipment on 

open areas east and north of Vermont 

Route 78, east of the Missisquoi River. 

We prohibit rifles in these areas at any 

time. 

(iii) You may use portable tree stands 

as governed by State regulations guiding 

their use on State wildlife management 

areas with the following exception: We 

allow only one tree stand or ground 

blind for each permit holder. 

(iv) On the Eagle Point Unit, we allow 

hunting subject to the following 

conditions: 

(A) You may use portable tree stands 

as governed by State regulations guiding 

their use on State wildlife management 

areas. 

(B) We allow training of dogs during 

the regular hunting seasons as governed 

by State regulations. We allow dog 

training outside the regular hunting 

seasons (i.e., from June 1 through July 

31) only with a Special Use Permit 

(FWS Form 3–1383–G). 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport 

fishing on designated areas of the refuge 

subject to the following conditions: 

(i) We allow sport fishing (including 

bow fishing) by boat and ice fishing in 

designated areas with the following 

exceptions: 

(A) We close the following areas yearround: Goose Bay, Saxes Creek and 

Pothole, Metcalfe Island Pothole, Long 

Marsh Channel, and Clark Marsh. 

(B) We close the following areas from 

Labor Day to December 31: Long Marsh 

Bay and Long Marsh Channel. 

(ii) We allow bank fishing along 

designated areas of Charcoal Creek. 

(iii) We prohibit taking fish with 

firearms. 

(iv) We prohibit boat launching on the 

refuge with the following exceptions: 

We allow launching from Louie’s 

Landing year-round, and from Mac’s 

Bend boat launch area from September 

through December (inclusive). 

(b) Silvio O. Conte National Fish and 

Wildlife Refuge—(1) Migratory game 

bird hunting. We allow hunting of duck, 

goose, coot, crow, snipe, and American 

woodcock on designated areas of the 

refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) We allow disabled hunters to hunt 

from a vehicle that is at least 10 feet 

from the traveled portion of the refuge 

road if the hunter possesses a Stateissued disabled hunting license and a 

Special Use Permit (FWS Form 3–1383– 

G) issued by the refuge manager. 

(ii) We allow the use of dogs 

consistent with State regulations, except 

hunters using more than two dogs must 

possess a Special Use Permit (FWS 

Form 3–1383–G) issued by the refuge 

manager. 

(iii) We prohibit shooting from, over, 

or within 25 feet of the traveled portion 

of any road that is accessible to motor 

vehicles. 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of coyote, fox, raccoon, bobcat, 

woodchuck, red squirrel, eastern gray 

squirrel, porcupine, skunk, snowshoe 

hare, eastern cottontail, muskrat, 

opossum, weasel, pheasant, and ruffed 

grouse on designated areas of the refuge 

subject to the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (b)(1)(i) through (iii) of this 

section apply. 

(ii) At the Putney Mountain Unit, we 

allow the use of dogs only for hunting 

ruffed grouse. 

(iii) We require hunters hunting at 

night to possess a Special Use Permit 

(FWS Form 3–1383–G) issued by the 

refuge manager. 

(iv) We allow the training of dogs as 

governed by State regulations from 

August 1 through the last Saturday in 

September during daylight hours, if the 

trainer possesses a Special Use Permit 

(FWS Form 3–1383–G) issued by the 

refuge manager. 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of white-tailed deer, moose, 

black bear, and wild turkey on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (b)(1)(i) through (iii) of this 

section apply. 

(ii) You may use portable tree stands 

and/or blinds. You must clearly label 

your tree stand(s) and/or blind(s) with 

your hunting license number. You must 

remove your tree stand(s) and/or 

blind(s) no later than 72 hours after the 

close of the season (see § 27.93 of this 

chapter). 

(iii) You may retrieve moose at the 

Nulhegan Basin Division with the use of 

a commercial moose hauler, if the 

hauler possesses a Special Use Permit 

(FWS Form 3–1383–C) issued by the 

refuge manager. 

(iv) We allow the training of dogs as 

governed by State regulations from 

August 1 through September 15 during 

daylight hours, if the trainer possesses 

a Special Use Permit (FWS Form 3– 

1383–G) issued by the refuge manager. 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport 

fishing on designated areas of the refuge 

consistent with State regulations. 

■ 34. Amend § 32.65 by: 

■ a. Revising paragraph (c); 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
48880 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

■ b. Adding paragraph (d)(4); 

■ c. Revising paragraphs (e) through (k); 

■ d. Redesignating paragraph (l) as (n); 

and 

■ e. Adding new paragraphs (l) and (m). 

The revisions and additions read as 

follows: 

§ 32.65 Virginia. 

* * * * * 

(c) Eastern Shore of Virginia National 

Wildlife Refuge—(1) Migratory game 

bird hunting. We allow hunting of 

waterfowl, rail, snipe, gallinule/ 

moorhen, coot, woodcock, dove, and 

crow on designated areas of the refuge 

subject to the following conditions: 

(i) We allow holders of a signed hunt 

brochure (signed brochure) to access 

areas of the refuge typically closed to 

the non-hunting public. All occupants 

of a vehicle or hunt party must possess 

a signed brochure and be actively 

engaged in hunting. We allow an 

exception for those persons aiding a 

disabled person who possesses a valid 

State-issued Commonwealth of Virginia 

Disabled Resident Lifetime License or 

Commonwealth of Virginia Resident 

Disabled Veteran’s Lifetime License. 

(ii) Hunters may enter the refuge no 

earlier than 2 hours prior to legal 

sunrise and must exit the refuge no later 

than 2 hours after legal sunset. 

(iii) In the Firearms Units only, we 

allow the use of dogs consistent with 

State and Northampton County 

regulations. 

(iv) We allow hunting on the refuge 

only from September 1 until February 

28. Hunting will follow State seasons 

during that period. 

(v) We allow migratory bird hunting 

with archery and firearms in the 

designated Firearms Units on the refuge 

in accordance with State and County 

regulations. 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of rabbit, squirrel, quail, 

raccoon, opossum, fox, coyote, and 

other nuisance species (groundhog, 

European starling, English sparrow, and 

pigeon) on designated areas of the 

refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (c)(1)(i) through (iv) of this 

section apply. 

(ii) We allow the use of archery tackle, 

as defined by the State, in designated 

Archery and Firearms Units. 

(iii) We allow the use of firearms in 

accordance with State and Northampton 

County regulations in the designated 

Firearms Units only. 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of white-tailed deer and wild 

turkey on designated areas of the refuge 

subject to the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (c)(1)(i), (ii), and (iv), and 

(c)(2)(ii) and (iii) of this section apply. 

(ii) We allow turkey hunting during 

the spring season only for a mentor-led 

hunt. 

(iii) We require the use of nontoxic 

ammunition when hunting turkey in the 

Firearms Units. 

(iv) We prohibit organized deer 

drives. We define a ‘‘deer drive’’ as an 

organized or planned effort to pursue, 

drive, chase, or otherwise frighten or 

cause deer to move in the direction of 

any person(s) who is part of the 

organized or planned hunt and known 

to be waiting for the deer. 

(v) You may not hunt, discharge a 

firearm, or nock an arrow or crossbow 

bolt outside of the designated hunting 

areas. 

(vi) We allow the use of portable tree 

stands and require removal of the stands 

after each day’s hunt (see § 27.93 of this 

chapter). 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport 

fishing on designated areas of the refuge 

subject to the following conditions: 

(i) Anglers may access the refuge to 

fish from shore on the Bull Tract and 

Skidmore Island from 1⁄2 hour before 

legal sunrise to 1⁄2 hour after legal 

sunset. 

(ii) Anglers may access State waters 

via the Wise Point Boat Ramp on the 

refuge from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. 

(d) * * * 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow freshwater 

fishing in designated areas of the refuge 

subject to the following conditions: 

(i) We allow fishing from 

nonmotorized boats only. 

(ii) We prohibit the use of lead fishing 

tackle. 

(e) Featherstone National Wildlife 

Refuge—(1) Migratory game bird 

hunting. We allow hunting of waterfowl 

on designated areas of the refuge subject 

to the following conditions: 

(i) We allow the use of dogs consistent 

with State regulations. 

(ii) We limit boat access to 

nonmotorized boats only in Farm Creek 

Unit. We allow motorized boat access in 

Neabsco Creek Unit. 

(2)–(3) [Reserved] 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport 

fishing on designated areas of the refuge 

subject to the following conditions: 

(i) The condition set forth at 

paragraph (e)(1)(ii) of this section 

applies. 

(ii) We prohibit the use of lead fishing 

tackle. 

(f) Fisherman Island National Wildlife 

Refuge—(1) Migratory game bird 

hunting. We allow hunting of 

waterfowl, rail, snipe, gallinule/ 

moorhen, coot, woodcock, dove, and 

crow on designated areas of the refuge 

subject to the following conditions: 

(i) We allow the use of dogs consistent 

with State regulations. 

(ii) We require hunters to possess and 

carry a signed refuge hunt brochure 

when hunting. 

(iii) We allow hunting and hunter 

access by boat only. We prohibit 

hunting from land. Retrieval dogs may 

retrieve fallen game on shore. 

(iv) We allow hunting on the refuge 

from September 1 until February 28. 

Hunting will follow State seasons 

during that period. 

(v) Hunters may enter the refuge 2 

hours before legal sunrise and must exit 

the refuge no later than 2 hours after 

legal sunset. 

(2)–(4) [Reserved] 

(g) Great Dismal Swamp National 

Wildlife Refuge. (1) [Reserved] 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of gray squirrel and coyote on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) We allow hunting on Thursdays, 

Fridays, and Saturdays only. 

(ii) You must possess and carry a 

signed refuge permit (FWS Form 3– 

2439). 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of white-tailed deer, wild 

turkey, and black bear on designated 

areas of the refuge subject to the 

following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (g)(2)(i) and (ii) of this 

section apply. 

(ii) We require the use of nontoxic 

ammunition for hunting wild turkey. 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport 

fishing on designated areas of the refuge 

subject to the following conditions: 

(i) We allow fishing in Lake 

Drummond from a boat (maximum 25 

horsepower) and from the piers at 

Washington Ditch Road and Interior 

Ditch Road. 

(ii) We prohibit fishing from the ditch 

banks on the refuge. 

(iii) We require a Special Use Permit 

(FWS Form 3–1383–G) for vehicular 

access to the boat ramp on Interior Ditch 

Road on the west side of Lake 

Drummond. 

(h) James River National Wildlife 

Refuge. (1) [Reserved] 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of rabbit, squirrel, and coyote 

on designated areas of the refuge subject 

to the following conditions: 

(i) We only allow the hunting and 

take of coyote concurrently during the 

refuge deer hunting season. 

(ii) We allow rabbit and squirrel 

hunting only during the mentor-led 

hunt. 

(iii) We prohibit the use of pursuit 

dogs. 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 48881 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of white-tailed deer and wild 

turkey on designated areas of the refuge 

subject to the following conditions: 

(i) The condition set forth at 

paragraph (h)(2)(iii) of this section 

applies. 

(ii) We require spring turkey hunters 

to possess and carry a refuge hunting 

permit (FWS Form 3–2439). 

(iii) Hunters may enter the refuge no 

earlier than 1 hour prior to the start of 

legal shooting time and must exit the 

refuge no later than 1 hour after the end 

of legal shooting time. 

(iv) We require the use of nontoxic 

ammunition when hunting spring wild 

turkey. 

(v) Hunters using a muzzleloader 

must hunt from a stand elevated 10 feet 

(3 meters) or more above the ground. 

(vi) We prohibit organized deer 

drives. We define a ‘‘deer drive’’ as an 

organized or planned effort to pursue, 

drive, chase, or otherwise frighten or 

cause deer to move in the direction of 

any person(s) who is part of the 

organized or planned hunt and known 

to be waiting for the deer. 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow fishing on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) We allow fishing access each day 

from legal sunrise to legal sunset. 

(ii) We allow fishing only by use of 

one or more attended poles with hook 

and line attached. We prohibit all other 

fishing methods and means. 

(iii) We prohibit the use of lead 

fishing tackle. 

(iv) We prohibit the use of minnows 

as bait. 

(i) Mackay Island National Wildlife 

Refuge. Refer to § 32.52(e) for 

regulations. 

(j) Occoquan Bay National Wildlife 

Refuge. (1) [Reserved] 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of coyote and fox on designated 

areas of the refuge subject to the 

following condition: We only allow the 

incidental take of coyote and fox during 

the refuge deer hunting season. 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of white-tailed deer and wild 

turkey on designated areas of the refuge 

subject to the following conditions: 

(i) With the exception of mentored 

hunt participants, white-tailed deer 

hunters must possess and carry a signed 

refuge permit (FWS Form 3–2439) and 

be selected in the refuge lottery to hunt. 

(ii) We only allow shotguns with slugs 

during the firearm season. 

(iii) We prohibit organized deer 

drives. We define a ‘‘deer drive’’ as an 

organized or planned effort to pursue, 

drive, chase, or otherwise frighten or 

cause deer to move in the direction of 

any person(s) who is part of the 

organized or planned hunt and known 

to be waiting for the deer. 

(iv) We prohibit the use of pursuit 

dogs when hunting deer. 

(v) We require the use of nontoxic 

ammunition when hunting wild turkey. 

(vi) Hunters must certify and qualify 

weapons and ammunition at a refugeapproved range and view the refuge 

orientation session online prior to 

issuance of a refuge permit (FWS Form 

3–2439). 

(vii) Wild turkey hunting is a mentorled hunt only. 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport 

fishing on designated areas of the refuge 

subject to the following conditions: 

(i) We allow boat access by 

nonmotorized boats only. 

(ii) We prohibit the use of lead fishing 

tackle. 

(k) Plum Tree Island National Wildlife 

Refuge—(1) Migratory game bird 

hunting. We allow hunting of migratory 

waterfowl and coot on designated areas 

of the refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) You must hunt from a designated 

refuge blind. 

(ii) We allow the use of dogs 

consistent with State regulations. 

(2)–(3) [Reserved] 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow fishing in 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) We allow fishing access April 1 

through August 31, from legal sunrise to 

legal sunset. 

(ii) We prohibit shoreline fishing. We 

allow fishing only from boats 

untethered to refuge lands, or from 

designated blinds. 

(iii) We allow fishing only by use of 

one or more attended poles with hook 

and line attached. We prohibit all other 

fishing methods and means. 

(iv) We prohibit the use of lead 

fishing tackle. 

(l) Presquile National Wildlife Refuge. 

(1) [Reserved] 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of coyote on designated areas of 

the refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) Hunters may enter the refuge no 

earlier than 2 hours prior to the start of 

legal shooting time and must exit the 

refuge no later than 2 hours after the 

end of legal shooting time. 

(ii) We only allow the hunting and 

take of coyote concurrently during the 

refuge deer hunting season. 

(iii) We require hunters to dock their 

boats at designated locations on the 

refuge. 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of white-tailed deer on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) The condition set forth at 

paragraph (l)(2)(iii) of this section 

applies. 

(ii) We prohibit the use of pursuit 

dogs when hunting white-tailed deer. 

(iii) We require big game hunters to 

obtain a permit through a lottery 

administered by a third-party 

contractor. 

(iv) We prohibit organized deer 

drives. We define a ‘‘deer drive’’ as an 

organized or planned effort to pursue, 

drive, chase, or otherwise frighten or 

cause deer to move in the direction of 

any person(s) who is part of the 

organized or planned hunt and known 

to be waiting for the deer. 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow fishing on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) We allow fishing access each day 

from legal sunrise to legal sunset. 

(ii) We prohibit bank fishing. We 

allow fishing only from boats 

untethered to refuge lands. 

(iii) We allow fishing only by use of 

one or more attended poles with hook 

and line attached. We prohibit all other 

fishing methods and means. 

(iv) We prohibit the use of minnows 

as bait. 

(v) We prohibit the use of lead fishing 

tackle. 

(m) Rappahannock River Valley 

National Wildlife Refuge. (1) [Reserved] 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of coyote, rabbit, and squirrel 

on designated areas of the refuge subject 

to the following conditions: 

(i) We prohibit the use of pursuit 

dogs. 

(ii) We only allow the hunting and 

take of coyote concurrently during the 

refuge deer hunting season. 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of white-tailed deer and wild 

turkey on designated areas of the refuge 

subject to the following conditions: 

(i) The condition set forth at 

paragraph (m)(2)(i) of this section 

applies. 

(ii) We require the use of nontoxic 

ammunition when hunting spring wild 

turkey. 

(iii) In designated areas and for the 

spring turkey hunt, we require hunters 

to possess and carry a refuge hunting 

permit (FWS Form 3–2439). 

(iv) Hunters may enter the refuge no 

earlier than 1 hour prior to the start of 

legal shooting time and must exit the 

refuge no later than 1 hour after the end 

of legal shooting time. 

(v) We prohibit organized deer drives. 

We define a ‘‘deer drive’’ as an 

organized or planned effort to pursue, 

drive, chase, or otherwise frighten or 

cause deer to move in the direction of 

any person(s) who is part of the 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
48882 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 

organized or planned hunt and known 

to be waiting for the deer. 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport 

fishing on designated areas of the refuge 

subject to the following conditions: 

(i) We allow fishing access each day 

from legal sunrise to legal sunset. 

(ii) During the period when the refuge 

is open for hunting, we may close 

hunting areas to all other uses, 

including sport fishing. 

(iii) We allow fishing only by use of 

one or more attended poles with hook 

and line attached. We prohibit all other 

fishing methods and means. 

(iv) We prohibit the use of lead 

fishing tackle in freshwater ponds, 

including Wilna Pond and Laurel Grove 

Pond. 

(v) We require catch-and-release 

fishing for largemouth bass in 

freshwater ponds, including Wilna Pond 

and Laurel Grove Pond. Anglers may 

take other finfish species as governed by 

State regulations. 

(vi) We prohibit the use of minnows 

as bait. 

(vii) We prohibit the use of boats 

propelled by gasoline motors, sail, or 

mechanically operated paddle wheel 

while fishing. 

* * * * * 

■ 35. Amend § 32.66 by revising 

paragraphs (f)(3)(v), (i)(1)(iv), (x) and 

(xi) to read as follows: 

§ 32.66 Washington. 

* * * * * 

(f) * * * 

(3) * * * 

(v) We require hunters to sign in and 

out each day at the refuge headquarters. 

When signing out for the day, you must 

report hunting success or failure, and 

any hit-but-not-retrieved animals on the 

Harvest Report (FWS Form 3–2542). 

* * * * * 

(i) * * * 

(1) * * * 

(iv) Prior to entering the hunt area, 

you must check in at the refuge check 

station, and obtain a Harvest Report 

(FWS Form 3–2542). You must carry the 

Harvest Report while hunting as proof 

of blind assignment and user fee 

payment. 

* * * * * 

(x) Prior to switching blinds, you 

must first report to the refuge check 

station to obtain a new blind 

assignment. You must submit an 

accurate Harvest Report (FWS Form 3– 

2542) for the blind being vacated, and 

obtain a new Harvest Report for the new 

blind. 

(xi) Prior to leaving the hunt area, you 

must check out at the refuge check 

station, submit an accurate Harvest 

Report (FWS Form 3–2542), and present 

all harvested birds for inspection by 

check station personnel. 

* * * * * 

■ 36. Amend § 32.67 by revising 

paragraphs (b)(2) and (3) to read as 

follows: 

§ 32.67 West Virginia. 

* * * * * 

(b) * * * 

(2) Upland game hunting. We allow 

hunting of squirrel, Eastern cottontail 

rabbit, red and gray fox, coyote, bobcat, 

opossum, raccoon, skunk, woodchuck, 

weasel, ruffed grouse, quail, pheasant, 

and crow on designated areas of the 

refuge subject to the following 

condition: The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (b)(1)(i) through (iii) of this 

section apply. 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of white-tailed deer, wild 

turkey, and black bear on designated 

areas of the refuge subject to the 

following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (b)(1)(i) and (ii) of this 

section apply. 

(ii) We only allow the use of archery 

equipment. 

(iii) We prohibit organized deer 

drives. We define a ‘‘deer drive’’ as an 

organized or planned effort to pursue, 

drive, chase, or otherwise frighten or 

cause deer to move in the direction of 

any person(s) who is part of the 

organized or planned hunt and known 

to be waiting for the deer. 

(iv) You must label portable tree 

stands with your last name and State 

license number. You may erect your 

stand(s) on the first day of the hunting 

season. You must remove your stand(s) 

by the last day of the hunting season 

(see § 27.93 of this chapter). 

* * * * * 

■ 37. Amend § 32.68 by: 

■ a. Revising paragraphs (c) and (f)(1); 

■ b. Adding paragraph (f)(2)(vi); and 

■ c. Revising paragraph (f)(3) and (4). 

The revisions and addition read as 

follows: 

§ 32.68 Wisconsin. 

* * * * * 

(c) Hackmatack National Wildlife 

Refuge. Refer to § 32.32(f) for 

regulations. 

* * * * * 

(f) * * * (1) Migratory game bird 

hunting. We allow hunting of duck, 

goose, coot, merganser, dove, moorhen/ 

gallinule, rail, snipe, and woodcock on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) Hunters may enter the refuge no 

earlier than 1 hour before legal shooting 

hours and must exit the refuge no later 

than 1 hour after legal shooting hours. 

(ii) You must remove all boats, 

decoys, blinds, blind materials, stands, 

platforms, and other hunting equipment 

(see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter) 

brought onto the refuge at the end of 

each day’s hunt. 

(iii) We allow the use of dogs while 

hunting, provided the dog is under the 

immediate control of the hunter at all 

times. 

(iv) We prohibit hunting or shooting 

within 50 feet (15 meters (m)) of the 

centerline of all public roads, service 

roads, and trails, and around parking 

lots. It is considered hunting if you have 

a loaded weapon, if you have a nocked 

arrow while bow hunting, or if you are 

in an elevated tree stand or ground 

blind with a means to take, within these 

areas. 

(2) * * * 

(vi) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (f)(1)(i), (ii), and (iv) of this 

section apply. 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of white-tailed deer on 

designated areas of the refuge subject to 

the following conditions: 

(i) The conditions set forth at 

paragraphs (f)(1)(i) and (iv) of this 

section apply. 

(ii) You may use portable elevated 

devices, but you must lower them to 

ground level at the close of shooting 

hours each day. You must remove all 

blinds, stands, platforms, and ladders 

from the refuge at the end of the hunting 

season (see §§ 27.93 and 27.94 of this 

chapter). 

(iii) You must clearly mark all nonnatural blinds, stands, platforms, and 

ladders on the exterior with the hunter’s 

Wisconsin Department of Natural 

Resources customer identification 

number. 

(iv) We open Refuge Area 2 to deer 

hunting during the State archery, gun, 

and muzzleloader seasons, except that 

we close Refuge Area 2 to deer hunting 

during any early State antlerless-only 

hunts. 

(v) We open Refuge Area 3 to deer 

hunting during the State regular gun, 

muzzleloader, and late archery seasons. 

Unarmed deer hunters may enter Refuge 

Area 3 to scout beginning the Saturday 

prior to the gun deer season. 

(vi) You must remove flagging used 

during hunting by the close of the 

archery deer season (see §§ 27.93 and 

27.94 of this chapter). 

(vii) Any ground blind used during 

any gun deer season must display at 

least 144 square inches (929 square 

centimeters) of solid-blaze-orange or 

fluorescent pink material visible from 

all directions. 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2
Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 166 / Tuesday, August 31, 2021 / Rules and Regulations 48883 

(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport 

fishing on designated areas of the refuge 

subject to the following conditions: 

(i) Fishing areas are open from 30 

minutes prior to legal sunrise to 30 

minutes after legal sunset during refugespecific seasons. 

(ii) We allow use of nonmotorized 

boats in Sprague-Goose pools only when 

we open these pools to fishing. 

(iii) We allow motorized boats in Suk 

Cerney Pool. 

(iv) We allow fishing by hook and line 

only. 

(v) We prohibit the taking of any 

mussel (clam), crayfish, frog, leech, or 

turtle species by any method on the 

refuge (see § 27.21 of this chapter). 

* * * * * 

■ 38. Amend § 32.69 by revising 

paragraph (d)(3) to read as follows: 

§ 32.69 Wyoming. 

* * * * * 

(d) * * * 

(3) Big game hunting. We allow 

hunting of elk, pronghorn, white-tailed 

deer, and bison on designated areas of 

the refuge subject to the following 

conditions: 

(i) We require refuge permits (issued 

by State of Wyoming). 

(ii) We prohibit shooting from or 

across refuge roads and parking areas. 

(iii) We allow hunting of pronghorn 

with a firearm in Pronghorn Hunt Area 

1 from September 10 through October 

31, and in Pronghorn Hunt Area 2 from 

October 1 through 31. 

(iv) We allow archery hunting of 

pronghorn in Pronghorn Hunt Area 1 in 

accordance with State seasons and 

regulations. 

(v) We allow hunting of white-tailed 

deer with a firearm in the White-tailed 

Deer Hunt Area from September 15 

through October 30. 

(vi) We allow archery hunting of 

white-tailed deer in the White-tailed 

Deer Hunt Area in accordance with 

State seasons and regulations. 

(vii) The refuge hunt brochure will 

specify the type of ammunition 

approved for hunting on the refuge. 

* * * * * 

SUBCHAPTER E—MANAGEMENT OF 

FISHERIES CONSERVATION AREAS 

PART 71—HUNTING AND SPORT 

FISHING ON NATIONAL FISH 

HATCHERIES 

■ 39. The authority citation for part 71 

continues to read as follows: 

Authority: Sec. 4, Pub. L. 73–121, 48 Stat. 

402, as amended; sec. 4, Pub. L. 87–714, 76 

Stat. 654; 5 U.S.C. 301; 16 U.S.C. 460k, 664, 

668dd, 1534. 

§ 71.11 [Amended] 

■ 40. Amend § 71.11 by: 

■ a. In paragraph (c)(4), removing the 

words ‘‘§ 71.12(k)’’ and adding in their 

place the words ‘‘§ 71.12(l)’’; 

■ b. In paragraph (d)(4), removing the 

words ‘‘§ 71.12(l)’’ and adding in their 

place the words ‘‘§ 71.12(m)’’; 

■ c. In paragraph (e)(4), removing the 

words ‘‘§ 71.12(m)’’ and adding in their 

place the words ‘‘§ 71.12(n)’’; and 

■ d. In paragraph (g)(4), removing the 

words ‘‘§ 71.12(o)’’ and adding in their 

place the words ‘‘§ 71.12(p)’’. 

■ 41. Amend § 71.12 by: 

■ a. Redesignating paragraphs (g) 

through (r) as paragraphs (h) through (s); 

and 

■ b. Adding a new paragraph (g). 

The addition reads as follows: 

§ 71.12 National fish hatcheries open for 

sport fishing. 

* * * * * 

(g) Green Lake National Fish 

Hatchery. We allow sport fishing on 

designated areas of the hatchery. 

* * * * * 

Maureen D. Foster, 

Chief of Staff, Office of the Assistant Secretary 

for Fish and Wildlife and Parks. 

[FR Doc. 2021–18426 Filed 8–30–21; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4333–15–P 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with RULES2