[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 169 (Friday, August 29, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 51124-51149]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-20100]



Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 169 / Friday, August 29, 2008 / 
Proposed Rules

[[Page 51124]]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 20

[FWS-R9-MB-2008-0032; 91200-1231-9BPP-L2]
RIN 1018-AV62


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

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Proposed rule; supplemental.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Fish and Wildlife Service (hereinafter Service or we) is 
proposing to establish the 2008-09 late-season hunting regulations for 
certain migratory game birds. We annually prescribe frameworks, or 
outer limits, for dates and times when hunting may occur and the number 
of birds that may be taken and possessed in late seasons. These 
frameworks are necessary to allow State selections of seasons and 
limits and to allow recreational harvest at levels compatible with 
population and habitat conditions.

DATES: You must submit comments on the proposed migratory bird hunting 
late-season frameworks by September 8, 2008.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments on the proposals by one of the 
following methods:
    <bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
    <bullet> U.S. mail or hand-delivery: Public Comments Processing, 
Attn: 1018-AV62; Division of Policy and Directives Management; U.S. 
Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 222; Arlington, 
VA 22203.
    We will not accept e-mail or faxes. We will post all comments on 
http://www.regulations.gov. This generally means that we will post any 
personal information you provide us (see the Public Comments section 
below for more information).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ron W. Kokel, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, Department of the Interior, MS MBSP-4107-ARLSQ, 1849 C Street, 
NW., Washington, DC 20240; (703) 358-1714.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulations Schedule for 2008

    On May 28, 2008, we published in the Federal Register (73 FR 30712) 
a proposal to amend 50 CFR part 20. The proposal provided a background 
and overview of the migratory bird hunting regulations process, and 
dealt with the establishment of seasons, limits, and other regulations 
for hunting migratory game birds under Sec. Sec.  20.101 through 
20.107, 20.109, and 20.110 of subpart K. Major steps in the 2008-09 
regulatory cycle relating to open public meetings and Federal Register 
notifications were also identified in the May 28 proposed rule. 
Further, we explained that all sections of subsequent documents 
outlining hunting frameworks and guidelines were organized under 
numbered headings.
    On June 18, 2008, we published in the Federal Register (73 FR 
34692) a second document providing supplemental proposals for early- 
and late-season migratory bird hunting regulations. The June 18 
supplement also provided detailed information on the 2008-09 regulatory 
schedule and announced the SRC and Flyway Council meetings.
    On June 25 and 26, we held open meetings with the Flyway Council 
Consultants, at which the participants reviewed information on the 
current status of migratory shore and upland game birds and developed 
recommendations for the 2008-09 regulations for these species plus 
regulations for migratory game birds in Alaska, Puerto Rico, and the 
Virgin Islands; special September waterfowl seasons in designated 
States; special sea duck seasons in the Atlantic Flyway; and extended 
falconry seasons. In addition, we reviewed and discussed preliminary 
information on the status of waterfowl as it relates to the development 
and selection of the regulatory packages for the 2008-09 regular 
waterfowl seasons. On July 24, 2008, we published in the Federal 
Register (73 FR 43290) a third document specifically dealing with the 
proposed frameworks for early-season regulations. On August 27, 2008, 
we published a rulemaking establishing final frameworks for early-
season migratory bird hunting regulations for the 2008-09 season.
    On July 30-31, 2008, we held open meetings with the Flyway Council 
Consultants, at which the participants reviewed the status of waterfowl 
and developed recommendations for the 2008-09 regulations for these 
species. This document deals specifically with proposed frameworks for 
the late-season migratory bird hunting regulations. It will lead to 
final frameworks from which States may select season dates, shooting 
hours, areas, and limits.
    We have considered all pertinent comments received through August 
1, 2008, in developing this document. In addition, new proposals for 
certain late-season regulations are provided for public comment. The 
comment period is specified above under DATES. We will publish final 
regulatory frameworks for late-season migratory game bird hunting in 
the Federal Register on or around September 22, 2008.

Population Status and Harvest

    The following paragraphs provide a brief summary of information on 
the status and harvest of waterfowl excerpted from various reports. For 
more detailed information on methodologies and results, you may obtain 
complete copies of the various reports at the address indicated under 
ADDRESSES or from our Web site at http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/reports/reports.html.

Status of Ducks

    Federal, provincial, and State agencies conduct surveys each spring 
to estimate the size of breeding populations and to evaluate the 
conditions of the habitats. These surveys are conducted using fixed-
wing aircraft and helicopters and encompass principal breeding areas of 
North America, and cover over 2.0 million square miles. The Traditional 
survey area comprises Alaska, Canada, and the northcentral United 
States, and includes approximately 1.3 million square miles. The 
Eastern survey area includes parts of Ontario, Quebec, Labrador, 
Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, New 
York, and Maine, an area of approximately 0.7 million square miles.

Breeding Ground Conditions

    Habitat conditions during the 2008 Waterfowl Breeding Population 
and Habitat Survey were characterized in many areas by a delayed spring 
compared to several preceding years. Drought in many parts of the 
traditional survey area contrasted sharply with record snow and 
rainfall in the eastern survey area. The total pond estimate (Prairie 
Canada and United States combined) was 4.4 <plus-minus> 0.2 million 
ponds, 37 percent below last year's estimate of 7.0 <plus-minus> 0.3 
million ponds and 10 percent lower than the long-term average of 4.9 
<plus-minus> 0.03 million ponds. The 2008 estimate of ponds in Prairie 
Canada was 3.1 <plus-minus> 0.1 million. This was a 39 percent decrease 
from last year's estimate (5.0 <plus-minus> 0.3 million), and 11 
percent below the 1955-2007 average (3.4 <plus-minus> 0.03 million). 
The 2008 pond estimate for the north-central United States (1.4 <plus-
minus> 0.1 million) was 30 percent lower than last year's estimate (2.0 
<plus-minus> 0.1 million) and 11 percent below the long-term average 
(1.5 <plus-minus> 0.02 million).

[[Page 51125]]

Breeding Population Status

    In the Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey traditional 
survey area (strata 1-18, 20-50, and 75-77), the total duck population 
estimate was 37.3 <plus-minus> 0.6 [SE] million birds. This was 9 
percent lower than last year's estimate of 41.2 <plus-minus> 0.7 
million birds, but 11 percent above the 1955-2007 long-term average. 
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) abundance was 7.7 <plus-minus> 0.3 million 
birds, similar to last year's estimate of 8.3 <plus-minus> 0.3 million 
birds and to the long-term average. Blue-winged teal (A. discors) 
estimated abundance was 6.6 <plus-minus> 0.3 million birds similar to 
last year's estimate of 6.7 <plus-minus> 0.4 million birds, and 45 
percent above the long-term average. Estimated abundances of gadwall 
(A. strepera; 2.7 <plus-minus> 0.2 million) and northern shovelers (A. 
clypeata; 3.5 <plus-minus> 0.2 million) were lower than those of last 
year (-19 percent and -23 percent, respectively), but both remained 56 
percent above their long-term averages. Estimated abundance of American 
wigeon (A. americana; 2.5 <plus-minus> 0.2 million) was similar to the 
2007 estimate and the long-term average. Estimated abundances of green-
winged teal (A. crecca; 3.0 <plus-minus> 0.2 million) and redheads 
(Aythya americana; 1.1 <plus-minus> 0.1 million) were similar to last 
year's, but were each >50 percent above their long-term averages. The 
redhead and green-winged teal estimates were the highest and the second 
highest ever for the traditional survey area. The canvasback (A. 
valisineria) estimate of 0.5 <plus-minus> 0.05 million was down 44 
percent relative to 2007's record high, and 14 percent below the long-
term average. Northern pintails (Anas acuta; 2.6 <plus-minus> 0.1 
million) were 22 percent below last year's estimate and 36 percent 
below their long-term average. The scaup (Aythya affinis and A. marila 
combined; 3.7 <plus-minus> 0.2 million) estimate was similar to that of 
2007, and remained 27 percent below the long-term average.
    The eastern survey area was restratified in 2005 and is now 
composed of strata 51-72. Estimates of mallards, scaup, scoters (black 
[Melanitta nigra], white-winged [M. fusca], and surf [M. 
perspicillata]), green-winged teal, American wigeon, bufflehead (B. 
albeola), American black duck (A. rubripes), ring-necked duck (Aythya 
collaris), mergansers (red-breasted [Mergus serrator], common [M. 
merganser], and hooded [Lophodytes cucullatus]), and goldeneye (common 
[Bucephala clangula] and Barrow's [B. islandica]) all were similar to 
their 2007 estimates and long-term averages.

Fall Flight Estimate

    The mid-continent mallard population is composed of mallards from 
the traditional survey area (revised in 2008 to exclude Alaska 
mallards), Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, and was estimated to be 
7.7 <plus-minus> 0.3 million. This was similar to the revised 2007 
estimate of 8.5 <plus-minus> 0.3 million. In 2007, we reported a 
projected mallard fall-flight index of 11.4 million <plus-minus> 1.0 
million. After the removal of Alaska mallards from the mid-continent 
stock, the revised 2007 fall-flight estimate was 10.9 <plus-minus> 1.0 
million, which was not significantly different from the 2008 estimate 
of 9.2 <plus-minus> 0.8 million. These indices were based on mid-
continent mallard population models revised in 2002, and the 2008 
updated model weights, and therefore differ from those previously 
published.
    See section 1.A. Harvest Strategy Considerations for further 
discussion of the implications of this information for this year's 
selection of the appropriate hunting regulations.

Status of Geese and Swans

    We provide information on the population status and productivity of 
North American Canada geese (Branta canadensis), brant (B. bernicla), 
snow geese (Chen caerulescens), Ross' geese (C. rossii), emperor geese 
(C. canagica), white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons), and tundra swans 
(Cygnus columbianus). In May of 2008, much of eastern Arctic and 
subarctic Canada experienced well above-average temperatures which 
contributed to average or early availability of nesting sites. Reports 
from most other important goose and swan nesting areas indicated near-
average nesting phenology and average production of young in 2008. Poor 
nesting conditions were reported from Wrangel Island, Russia and 
relatively small areas along western Hudson Bay, Bristol Bay (Alaska), 
and interior Alaska. Reduced wetland abundance in the Canadian and U.S. 
prairies, and a cool and wet spring in other southern areas may have 
reduced the production of some temperate-nesting Canada geese in 2008. 
Primary abundance indices increased for 17 goose populations and 
decreased for 9 goose populations in 2008 compared to 2007. Primary 
abundance indices for both populations of tundra swans decreased in 
2008 from 2007 levels. The following populations displayed significant 
positive trends during the most recent 10-year period (P < 0.05): 
Mississippi Flyway Giant, Aleutian, Atlantic Canada geese, Western 
Arctic/Wrangel Island snow geese, and Pacific white-fronted geese. No 
populations showed a significant negative 10-year trend. The forecast 
for the production of geese and swans in North America in 2008 is 
regionally variable, but production for many populations will be 
improved from the generally low production observed in 2007.

Waterfowl Harvest and Hunter Activity

    National surveys of migratory bird hunters were conducted during 
the 2006 and 2007 hunting seasons. About 1.2 million waterfowl hunters 
harvested 13,808,100 (<plus-minus> 4 percent) ducks and 3,579,100 
(<plus-minus> 5 percent) geese in 2006, and harvested 14,578,900 
(<plus-minus> 4 percent) ducks and 3,666,100 (<plus-minus> 6 percent) 
geese in 2007. Mallard, green-winged teal, gadwall, blue-winged/
cinnamon teal (Anas cyanoptera), and wood duck (Aix sponsa) were the 
most-harvested duck species, and Canada goose was the predominant goose 
species in the harvest. Coot hunters (about 39,400 in 2006 and 33,700 
in 2007) harvested 199,100 (<plus-minus> 29 percent) coots in 2006 and 
198,300 (<plus-minus> 29 percent) in 2007.

Review of Public Comments and Flyway Council Recommendations

    The preliminary proposed rulemaking, which appeared in the May 28, 
2008, Federal Register, opened the public comment period for migratory 
game bird hunting regulations. The supplemental proposed rule, which 
appeared in the June 18, 2008, Federal Register, discussed the 
regulatory alternatives for the 2008-09 duck hunting season. Late-
season comments are summarized below and numbered in the order used in 
the May 28 and June 18 Federal Register documents. We have included 
only the numbered items pertaining to late-season issues for which we 
received written comments. Consequently, the issues do not follow in 
successive numerical or alphabetical order.
    We received recommendations from all four Flyway Councils. Some 
recommendations supported continuation of last year's frameworks. Due 
to the comprehensive nature of the annual review of the frameworks 
performed by the Councils, support for continuation of last year's 
frameworks is assumed for items for which no recommendations were 
received. Council recommendations for changes in the frameworks are 
summarized below.
    We seek additional information and comments on the recommendations 
in this supplemental proposed rule. New proposals and modifications to 
previously described proposals are discussed below. Wherever possible,

[[Page 51126]]

they are discussed under headings corresponding to the numbered items 
in the May 28 and June 18, 2008, Federal Register documents.

General

    Written Comments: An individual commenter protested the entire 
migratory bird hunting regulations process, the killing of all 
migratory birds, and the Flyway Council process.
    Service Response: Our long-term objectives continue to include 
providing opportunities to harvest portions of certain migratory game 
bird populations and to limit harvests to levels compatible with each 
population's ability to maintain healthy, viable numbers. Having taken 
into account the zones of temperature and the distribution, abundance, 
economic value, breeding habits, and times and lines of flight of 
migratory birds, we believe that the hunting seasons provided herein 
are compatible with the current status of migratory bird populations 
and long-term population goals. Additionally, we are obligated to, and 
do, give serious consideration to all information received as public 
comment. While there are problems inherent with any type of 
representative management of public-trust resources, we believe that 
the Flyway-Council system of migratory bird management has been a 
longstanding example of State-Federal cooperative management since its 
establishment in 1952. However, as always, we continue to seek new ways 
to streamline and improve the process.

1. Ducks

    Categories used to discuss issues related to duck harvest 
management are: (A) Harvest Strategy Considerations, (B) Regulatory 
Alternatives, (C) Zones and Split Seasons, and (D) Special Seasons/
Species Management. The categories correspond to previously published 
issues/discussion, and only those containing substantial 
recommendations are discussed below.
A. Harvest Strategy Considerations
    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic and Pacific Flyway Councils 
and the Upper- and Lower-Regulations Committees of the Mississippi 
Flyway Council recommended the adoption of the ``liberal'' regulatory 
alternative.
    The Mississippi Flyway Council opposed the implementation of the 
western mallard Adaptive Harvest Management (AHM) protocol and 
recommended the midcontinent mallard AHM protocol should be used for 
all three western Flyways.
    The Central Flyway Council also recommended the ``liberal'' 
alternative. However, as part of their Hunter's Choice experiment, they 
recommended continuation of the following bag limits:

    In Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Oklahoma, the 
daily bag limit would be six ducks, with species and sex 
restrictions as follows: five mallards (no more than two of which 
may be females), two redheads, two scaup, two wood ducks, one 
pintail, one mottled duck, and one canvasback. For pintails and 
canvasbacks, the season length would be 39 days, which may be split 
according to applicable zones/split duck hunting configurations 
approved for each State.
    In Kansas, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming, the 
daily bag limit would be five ducks, with species and sex 
restrictions as follows: two scaup, two redheads, and two wood 
ducks, and only one from the following group--hen mallards, mottled 
ducks, pintails, canvasbacks.

    Service Response: We are continuing development of an AHM protocol 
that would allow hunting regulations to vary among Flyways in a manner 
that recognizes each Flyway's unique breeding-ground derivation of 
mallards. In the July 24 Federal Register, we described and adopted a 
protocol for regulatory decision-making for the newly defined stock of 
western mallards. For the 2008 hunting season, we believe that the 
prescribed regulatory choice for Pacific Flyway should be based on the 
status of this western mallard breeding stock, while the regulatory 
choice for the Mississippi and Central Flyways should depend on the 
status of the recently redefined mid-continent mallard stock. In 
defining the western breeding stock, based on available data, mallards 
breeding in Alaska were disassociated with the mid-continent mallard 
stock and reassigned to the western stock. We also recommend that the 
regulatory choice for the Atlantic Flyway continue to depend on the 
status of eastern mallards.
    For the 2008 hunting season, we are continuing to consider the same 
regulatory alternatives as those used last year. The nature of the 
restrictive, moderate, and liberal alternatives has remained 
essentially unchanged since 1997, except that extended framework dates 
have been offered in the moderate and liberal regulatory alternatives 
since 2002. Also, in 2003, we agreed to place a constraint on closed 
seasons in the western three Flyways whenever the midcontinent mallard 
breeding-population size (as defined prior to 2008; traditional survey 
area plus Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin) was >=5.5 million. As we 
described in the July 24 Federal Register, redefinition of the 
midcontinent mallard stock through the removal of Alaska necessitated 
that both the population constraint (North American Waterfowl 
Management Plan goal plus Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin) and the 
closed season constraint in the midcontinent mallard objective function 
be rescaled to 4.75 million in order to achieve performance of the mid-
continent mallard strategy that is comparable to performance prior to 
the stock redefinition.
    Optimal AHM strategies for the 2008 hunting season were calculated 
using: (1) Harvest-management objectives specific to each mallard 
stock; (2) the 2008 regulatory alternatives; and (3) current population 
models and associated weights for midcontinent, western, and eastern 
mallards. Based on this year's survey results of 7.87 million 
midcontinent mallards (traditional survey area minus Alaska plus 
Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan), 3.06 million ponds in Prairie 
Canada, 913.8 thousand western mallards (381.1 and 532.4 thousand 
respectively in California-Oregon and Alaska) and 815 thousand eastern 
mallards, the prescribed regulatory choice for all four Flyways is the 
liberal alternative.
    Therefore, we concur with the recommendations of the Atlantic, 
Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyway Councils regarding selection 
of the ``liberal'' regulatory alternative and propose to adopt the 
``liberal'' regulatory alternative, as described in the June 18 Federal 
Register.
    Regarding Hunter's Choice, we support continuation of the Central 
Flyway Council's recommendation for a 3-year evaluation of the Central 
Flyway's Hunter's Choice duck bag limit. The Central Flyway's Hunter's 
Choice regulations are intended to limit harvest on pintails and 
canvasbacks in a manner similar to the season-within-a-season 
regulations. Hunter's Choice regulations should also reduce harvests of 
mottled ducks and hen mallards, while maintaining full hunting 
opportunity on abundant species such as drake mallards. For the species 
included in the aggregate bag limit, the harvest of one species is 
intended to ``buffer'' the harvest of the others, thus reducing the 
harvest of all species included in the one-bird category. The Central 
Flyway has accumulated 4 years of baseline information on harvests 
resulting from ``season-within-a-season'' regulations in the Central 
Flyway; the season length for pintails and canvasbacks in season-
within-a-season States under the ``liberal'' alternative will be 39 
days.
    Five States (Kansas, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, and 
Wyoming)

[[Page 51127]]

were randomly assigned to Hunter's Choice regulations and the remaining 
five States (Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Oklahoma) 
serve as controls (season-within-a-season regulations) as the 
evaluation proceeds. The overall duck daily bag limit is reduced from 
six to five for the Hunter's Choice States.
    While we continue to support the Central Flyway's Hunter's Choice 
experiment, we reiterate that we believe implementation of this 
experiment should not preclude any future changes in hunting 
regulations that may be deemed necessary on an annual basis for any 
other duck species in the Central Flyway, if such changes are deemed 
necessary.
    Regarding the Mississippi Flyway Council's opposition to the 
western mallard AHM protocol, we have cooperated with the Pacific 
Flyway during the past several years to develop a protocol for managing 
the harvest of the western stock of mallards. As we discussed above, in 
July 2008, we formally adopted the western mallard protocol (73 FR 
43290). This decision resulted in Alaska mallards being removed from 
the midcontinent mallard stock and placing them in the western mallard 
stock. This change resulted in an increase (+7 percent) in the 
frequency of closed seasons in the Central and Mississippi Flyways 
under the midcontinent mallard AHM protocol. As we also discussed 
above, to address this concern, we modified the closed season 
constraint for midcontinent mallards from 5.25 to 4.75 million 
mallards.
    We recognize the concerns expressed by the Mississippi Flyway 
Council with regard to implementation of the western mallard protocol. 
However, we believe that establishment of a western mallard protocol is 
justified, and we have made an appropriate adjustment to the 
midcontinent mallard protocol to reduce the impact of removing Alaska 
from that stock of birds. With regard to potential impacts of higher 
frequency of liberal seasons in the Pacific Flyway on midcontinent 
mallards, a preliminary joint optimization of western and midcontinent 
mallards was assessed. The preliminary analysis suggested that joint 
optimization does not result in a significant difference in the 
performance of either protocol. Therefore, we believe an independent 
harvest strategy for western mallards poses little risk to the 
midcontinent stock. With regard to the potential impacts of near-
permanent liberal regulations in the Pacific Flyway on other species of 
waterfowl, it is presently unclear how such impacts would be assessed. 
However, we are committed to monitoring of these potential impacts and 
will discuss any findings with all of the Flyway Councils prior to 
implementing any appropriate regulatory changes to address such 
impacts.
B. Regulatory Alternatives
    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended 
that the Service propose a process and time line by June 2009 for 
review and modification of the regulatory alternatives for 
implementation by the 2011 season.
    Service Response: We plan to address this issue within the context 
of the new Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) for the 
migratory bird hunting program (see NEPA Consideration for further 
discussion) and anticipate the issuance of the draft SEIS by the date 
desired by the Atlantic Flyway Council.
C. Special Seasons/Species Management
iii. Black Ducks
    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended 
that black duck harvest regulations remain unchanged for the 2008-09 
season.
    Service Response: In the July 24 Federal Register we described the 
black duck interim harvest strategy developed by U.S. and Canadian 
waterfowl managers that will be employed by both countries to make 
regulatory decisions over the next three seasons (2008-09 to 2010-11), 
allowing time for the development of a formal strategy based on the 
principles of AHM. The interim harvest strategy is prescriptive, in 
that it calls for no substantive changes in hunting regulations unless 
the black duck breeding population, averaged over the most recent 3 
years, exceeds or falls below the long-term average breeding population 
by 15 percent or more. The strategy is designed to share the black duck 
harvest equally between the two countries; however, recognizing 
incomplete control of harvest through regulations, it will allow 
realized harvest in either country to vary between 40 and 60 percent.
    The 2008 composite estimate (based on hierarchical modeling and 
both Service and Canadian Wildlife Service survey data) for the Eastern 
Survey Area is 683.4 thousand. The 1998-2007 mean estimate is 713.8 
thousand and the most recent 3-year running mean estimate is 721.6 
thousand. Based on these estimates, we agree with the Atlantic Flyway 
Council that no restriction or liberalization of harvest is warranted.
iv. Canvasbacks
    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended a 
full season for canvasbacks consisting of a 1-bird daily bag limit and 
a 60-day season in the Atlantic Flyway.
    The Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the 
Mississippi Flyway Council reiterated their recommended alternative 
canvasback harvest management strategy that uses threshold levels based 
on breeding population size in order to determine bag limits (detailed 
in the June 18 Federal Register). Using their strategy would result in 
a 1-bird daily bag limit and a 60-day season in the Mississippi Flyway.
    The Central Flyway Council, as part of their Hunter's Choice 
experiment, recommended a full season (74 days) for canvasbacks with a 
1-bird daily bag limit in Kansas, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, 
and Wyoming and a 39-day season with a 1-bird daily bag limit in 
Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.
    The Pacific Flyway Council recommended a closed season for 
canvasbacks.
    Service Response: Since 1994, we have followed a canvasback harvest 
strategy that if canvasback population status and production are 
sufficient to permit a harvest of one canvasback per day nationwide for 
the entire length of the regular duck season, while still attaining a 
projected spring population objective of 500,000 birds, the season on 
canvasbacks should be opened. A partial season would be permitted if 
the estimated allowable harvest was within the projected harvest for a 
shortened season. If neither of these conditions can be met, the 
harvest strategy calls for a closed season on canvasbacks nationwide. 
In the July 24 Federal Register we announced our decision to modify the 
Canvasback Harvest Strategy to incorporate the option for a 2-bird 
daily bag limit for canvasbacks when the predicted breeding population 
the subsequent year exceeds 725,000 birds.
    This year's spring survey resulted in an estimate of 489,000 
canvasbacks. This was 44 percent below the 2007 estimate of 865,000 
canvasbacks and 14 percent below the 1955-2007 average. The estimate of 
ponds in Prairie Canada was 3.06 million, which was 39 percent below 
last year and 11 percent below the long-term average. According to the 
Canvasback Harvest Strategy, the allowable harvest in the conterminous 
United States is 24,700 birds, which is less than the expected harvest 
in the United States for all four flyways under their respective 
restrictive season

[[Page 51128]]

lengths (61,758 birds). Thus, the Canvasback Harvest Strategy 
stipulates a canvasback season closure for the upcoming season.
    Last year, the estimate of canvasback abundance was a record-high 
of 865,000 birds. In response to Flyway requests for additional harvest 
opportunities due to that estimate, we increased the daily bag limit to 
2 birds per day. As expected, the harvest of canvasbacks increased last 
year, but not to the extent that could explain the large decrease in 
the estimate of canvasback abundance this spring. We have conducted a 
comprehensive review of canvasback survey information, with a 
particular focus on the change in estimates between 2007 and 2008. 
Investigations into the estimation procedures for canvasbacks revealed 
that numbers of canvasbacks observed during the May survey increased 
across many survey areas last year, but counts were consistently lower 
in those same areas this spring. We found no anomalies in the data, 
leading us to conclude with confidence that the estimate this year is 
as reliable as previous estimates. Annual canvasback estimates 
typically have higher variances than for most other species counted 
during May, and large changes from year-to-year have happened 
historically. It is possible that the discrepancy between this year's 
estimate and last year's record-high estimate is purely the result of 
sampling variation, but other factors may have contributed.
    However, we support the completion of the Hunter's Choice 
experiment in the Central Flyway. For the last 2 years, the average 
harvest of canvasbacks in the U.S. portion of the Central Flyway has 
been about 14,800 birds. This, together with the average expected 
harvest in Alaska (350 birds), is below the allowable U.S. harvest 
resulting from the strategy this year. Thus, we propose that the States 
in the Central Flyway be allowed an open season on canvasbacks this 
year according to the Hunter's Choice experimental design, but the 
seasons on canvasbacks would be closed in the Atlantic, Mississippi, 
and Pacific Flyways.
v. Pintails
    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic and Pacific Flyway Councils 
and the Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the 
Mississippi Flyway Council recommended a full season for pintails 
consisting of a 1-bird daily bag limit and a 60-day season in the 
Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways, and a 107-day season in the Pacific 
Flyway.
    The Central Flyway Council, as part of their Hunter's Choice 
experiment, recommended a full season (74 days) for pintails with a 1-
bird daily bag limit in Kansas, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, and 
Wyoming and a 39-day season with a 1-bird daily bag limit in Colorado, 
Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.
    Service Response: Based on the current strategy, along with an 
observed spring breeding population of 2.61 million, an overflight-
bias-corrected breeding population of 4.24 million and a projected fall 
flight of 4.47 million pintails, the Pintail Harvest Strategy 
prescribes a full season and a 1-bird bag in all Flyways. Under the 
``liberal'' season length, this regulation is expected to result in a 
harvest of 569,000 pintails and an observed breeding population 
estimate of 3.53 million in 2009, not considering any potential effect 
from continuation of the Hunter's Choice evaluation in the Central 
Flyway.
    Furthermore, we agree with the Central Flyway Council's 
recommendation to adopt a 39-day ``season-within-a-season'' for 
pintails in Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Oklahoma. We 
understand that this departure from the pintail strategy is a necessary 
part of the experimental ``Hunter's Choice'' season.
vi. Scaup
    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended 
that the following regulatory packages for scaup be allowed for the 
Atlantic Flyway for the next 3 years and that we use their harvest 
prediction methodology to predict scaup harvests in the Atlantic 
Flyway:
    (1) Under the restrictive harvest policy, a 40-day season with a 1-
bird daily bag and a 20-day season with a 2-bird daily bag. The 20 days 
with the 2-bird daily bag shall be 20 consecutive hunting days;
    (2) Under the moderate harvest policy, a 60-day season with a 2-
bird daily bag; and
    (3) Under the liberal harvest policy, a 60-day season with a 4-bird 
daily bag.
    For 2008-09, the Council recommended implementation of the 
restrictive season package, based on results of the scaup harvest 
model.
    The Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the 
Mississippi Flyway Council recommended a 60-day season with a 2-bird 
daily bag limit for the 2008-09 season. They further recommended a 
restrictive and moderate regulatory package of 60 days with a 2-bird 
daily bag limit and a liberal regulatory package of 60 days with a 4-
bird daily bag limit.
    The Central Flyway Council recommended the continuation of the 
Hunter's Choice bag limit for the 2008-09 season. After completion of 
the Hunter's Choice experiment, the Central Flyway Council recommends 
the following potential scaup regulatory alternatives (season lengths 
and daily bag limits) for Central Flyway States:
    (1) Restrictive Policy--74 days with a 1-bird daily bag limit;
    (2) Moderate Policy--74 days with a 2-bird daily bag limit; and
    (3) Liberal Policy--74 days with a 6-bird daily bag limit.
    The Pacific Flyway Council recommended the adoption of the 
following scaup regulation packages for the Pacific Flyway for the next 
three years:
    (1) Restrictive season package: 86 days, 2 bag limit.
    (2) Moderate season package: 86 days, 3 bag limit.
    (3) Liberal season package: 107 days, 7 bag limit.
    In addition, the Pacific Flyway Council requested that split and 
zone configurations be available to individual States for scaup 
seasons, similar to the split and zone options we previously provided 
for pintail seasons. For 2008-09, the Council recommended 
implementation of the restrictive season package, based on results of 
the scaup harvest model.
    Service Response: As we have stated over the last several years, 
the continental scaup (greater Aythya marila and lesser Aythya affinis 
combined) population has experienced a long-term decline over the past 
20 years. Over the past several years in particular, we have continued 
to express our growing concern about the status of scaup (see the May 
28 Federal Register for a review of the actions we have taken over the 
last few years to synthesize data relevant to scaup harvest management 
and frame a scientifically-sound scaup harvest strategy or for a 
complete list of reports see http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/reports/reports.html).
    In the July 24 Federal Register, we adopted a scaup harvest 
strategy that resulted from three years of development and review in 
cooperation with the Flyway Councils. The 2008 scaup breeding 
population estimate was 3.74 million. Total estimated scaup harvest in 
2007-08 was 295,000. Employing these estimates as the input to the 
scaup harvest strategy, the optimal harvest for the 2008-09 hunting 
season is 200,000 (including the 40,000 scaup harvest expected in 
Canada and

[[Page 51129]]

Alaska). The available harvest results in a recommendation for a 
restrictive package in all four Flyways (except Alaska).
    We appreciate the time and attention that the Flyways have given 
this issue. We further support the recommendations received from the 
Atlantic, Central and Pacific Flyways for their restrictive, moderate 
and liberal packages for scaup. We also support the packages 
recommended by the Mississippi Flyway for their moderate and liberal 
packages. However, the restrictive package recommended by the 
Mississippi Flyway is not projected to be sufficient to achieve the 
required harvest reductions. In further consultation with the 
Mississippi Flyway Consultants, we accepted the same season structure 
recommended by the Atlantic Flyway for restrictive seasons in the 
Mississippi Flyway. These season structures will be used for the next 
three years and evaluated at the end of that period.
    In addition, we have adopted the alternative harvest prediction 
models suggested by the Atlantic and Central Flyways. We also support 
the proposal by the Pacific Flyway to afford States the opportunity to 
use their existing zone/split rules for their respective States when 
choosing scaup season frameworks.
vii. Mottled Ducks
    Council Recommendations: The Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations 
Committees of the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended continuation 
of a 60-day season and a 3-bird daily bag limit for mottled ducks for 
the 2008-09 waterfowl season. They further recommended that given 
adequate justification for a 30 percent reduction in harvest, and no 
further analyses of effects of harvest regulations on mottled duck 
harvests sometime in the future, the following:
    (a) Season length of 45 days with a daily bag limit of 1 per day in 
years when AHM prescribes a liberal or moderate regulations package.
    (b) Season length of 30 days with a daily bag limit of 2 per day in 
years when AHM prescribes a restrictive regulations package.
    (c) Outside the mottled duck breeding range, mottled duck season 
length and bag limits would be the same as for hen mallards.
    The Central Flyway Council recommended that no further harvest 
reductions were warranted at this time.
    Service Response: We are not proposing any changes to mottled duck 
regulations for the 2008-09 season. Because of our long-standing 
concern about the status of mottled ducks, we are encouraged by the 
progress made to date on improving population monitoring programs for 
this species in the Gulf Coast region. We look forward to working with 
the Flyways on continued development of such surveys. Further, we 
appreciate the Mississippi Flyway Council's recommendations on 
potential regulatory packages that could serve to reduce harvest 
pressure on mottled ducks if deemed necessary at some future date. We 
will take under consideration the Council's recommendation regarding 
regulations in areas outside the mottled duck breeding range. We also 
recognize that the Central Flyway Council has taken voluntary 
restrictions in mottled duck regulations in the past and, together with 
reductions in harvest resulting from the Hunter's Choice experiment, 
has reduced harvest pressure on mottled ducks, primarily in Texas.
viii. Wood Ducks
    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic and Central Flyway Councils 
and the Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the 
Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the wood duck bag limit in 
the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyways be increased to 3 birds 
per day during the regular duck season for an experimental 3-year 
period beginning in 2008.
    Service Response: We support the proposal to increase the daily bag 
limit for wood ducks from 2 to 3 birds in the Atlantic, Mississippi, 
and Central Flyways beginning in 2008. We do not, however, believe that 
this change warrants an experiment because the assessment work that 
justifies the bag limit increase has already been done. However, we 
recognize the importance of maintaining the current wood duck banding 
effort that is needed to assess the effects of the change. Further, we 
look forward to continuing involvement by the Flyways in developing a 
wood duck harvest strategy, including (1) determining specific harvest 
management objectives; (2) determining regulatory alternatives; (3) 
designation of and support for appropriate population monitoring 
programs; and (4) designation of the appropriate test criteria for 
making management decisions. We would like the Flyways to develop this 
strategy for implementation during the 2010-2011 hunting season.
viii. Youth Hunt
    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended 
that the Service allow States to select any two weekend days, holidays 
or other non-school days for their youth waterfowl hunting days.
    Service Response: We do not support the Atlantic Flyway's proposal 
to allow the selection of any two weekend days, holidays, or other non-
school days for their youth waterfowl hunting days. In 2000, we 
expanded the special youth waterfowl hunt to two consecutive days in 
order to reduce travel and scheduling conflicts for youth hunt 
participants--issues identified by the Flyways as problems with 
promoting participation under the original 1-day youth hunt guidelines 
(65 FR 51496). The following year, we further supported a change to two 
consecutive hunting days to address the inability of some States in the 
Atlantic Flyway to hunt on Sundays (66 FR 44010). As we stated in 2003 
when presented with a similar proposal by the Atlantic Flyway, we 
believe the proposal is inconsistent with the original purpose put 
forth by the Flyway Councils in 2000 to facilitate travel and 
scheduling of youth hunt participants (68 FR 51658).

4. Canada Geese

B. Regular Seasons
    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council forwarded a 
number of recommendations concerning Canada geese. First, the Council 
recommended that we modify the existing criteria for delineation of 
Atlantic Flyway Resident Population (AFRP) Canada goose hunting zones 
in the Atlantic Flyway by proposing that AFRP hunting zones may not 
contain more than 10 percent of all Atlantic Population (AP) band 
recoveries, or more than 10 percent of all North Atlantic Population 
(NAP) recoveries, within a State from 2002-2007.
    Second, the Council recommended that we adopt the following 
criteria for evaluation of AFRP hunting zones in the Atlantic Flyway 
during 2008-2010:
    (1) All areas holding an AFRP regular season must collectively 
account for no more than a 1 percent direct recovery rate for adults 
for any migrant goose population during the open AFRP regular seasons. 
Areas contributing disproportionately to the cumulative recovery rate 
will be identified and these areas may be eliminated to stay below the 
1 percent threshold;
    (2) AFRP hunting zones must not account for more than 10 percent of 
all AP band recoveries, or more than 10 percent of all NAP recoveries, 
in any State during the 3-year period 2008-2010;
    (3) If a season is closed for any migrant population, AFRP hunting 
zones would remain open as long as

[[Page 51130]]

they do not result in exceeding the cumulative 1 percent adult recovery 
rate threshold; and
    (4) Band recovery data will be examined annually, and at 3-year 
intervals all available data will be examined to determine if zone 
modifications and/or changes to opening and closing framework dates are 
needed to ensure continued compliance with the above criteria.
    As a result of the above delineation criteria modifications, the 
Council recommended modifications to existing AFRP hunting zones in New 
York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland beginning in 2008, and that we extend 
the opening and closing framework dates for Canada geese in AFRP 
harvest zones in Pennsylvania (from the fourth Saturday in October to 
March 10), Maryland and Virginia (from November 15 to March 10), and 
North Carolina (from October 1 to March 10). They also recommended 
allowing Connecticut and New York to establish new AFRP harvest zones 
with framework dates between 1 October and 15 February and bag limits 
of 5 geese per day.
    With regard to frameworks in Southern James Bay Population (SJBP) 
harvest zones, the Council recommended allowing Pennsylvania a 70-day 
Canada goose hunting season, with a 3-bird daily bag limit, between the 
second Saturday in October and February 15; Virginia, a 40-day season 
between November 15 and January 14 with a 3-bird daily bag limit and an 
experimental season between January 15-February 15 with a 5-bird daily 
bag limit; and North Carolina a 70-day season with a 5-bird daily bag 
limit between October 1 and December 31. In addition, they recommended 
modifying the SJBP harvest zone in Pennsylvania to include the former 
Pymatuning Zone and that portion of Mercer, Crawford and Erie Counties 
north of Interstate 80 and west of Interstate 79 including Lake Erie, 
Presque Isle, and the area within 150 yards of the Lake Erie shoreline.
    The Upper- and Lower-Region Regulations Committees of the 
Mississippi Flyway Council recommended a number of changes in Canada 
goose zones, seasons lengths, and bag limits for several States in the 
Flyway. These changes are a result of approved revisions to the 
Southern James Bay Population (SJBP) Canada goose harvest strategy and 
management plan that were made in agreement with the Atlantic Flyway. 
These changes are consistent with the revised harvest strategies for 
Canada geese in the Mississippi Flyway.
    The Pacific Flyway Council recommended revising Idaho zone 
designations for 2 counties (Adams and Valley Counties from Zone 2 to 
Zone 1), and reducing the bag limit on dark geese in Wyoming from 4 to 
3 geese.
    Service Response: We concur with the Atlantic Flyway Council's 
recommendations to modify existing criteria for delineation and 
subsequent evaluation of AFRP hunting zones. Evaluations of AFRP 
seasons since 2002 have demonstrated that these seasons have met the 
established criteria of less than a 1 percent direct recovery rate of 
migrant geese. We note that a migrant (AP, NAP, SJBP) direct recovery 
rate of 0.35 percent was realized for the 2005-2007 period. AFRP zones 
have resulted in higher hunter opportunity and higher AFRP goose 
harvests, and current North Atlantic Population Canada Goose Low 
Harvest zones have shown to be effective in minimizing NAP harvest. The 
Atlantic Flyway Council's proposed modification to allow certain 
portions of existing NAP Harvest zones to become AFRP zones will allow 
for greater harvest opportunity on AFRP geese while further protecting 
NAP stocks. Current direct recovery rates of NAP geese in the United 
States are 2.9 percent, equating to a harvest rate of <6 percent. As 
band return data accumulate, adjustments to existing AFRP zones and 
establishment of new zones should utilize these data. We will continue 
to evaluate these AFRP seasons annually through leg band recoveries and 
at 3-year intervals a comprehensive evaluation of all available data 
will occur to ensure compliance with established criteria. Lastly, we 
note that these proposed modifications for delineation of new AFRP 
zones in certain portions of existing NAP harvest zones are in 
accordance with the current North Atlantic Population Canada Goose 
Management Plan.
    We also concur with the Atlantic Flyway Council's recommendations 
to modify AFRP hunting zones in Maryland, New York, and Pennsylvania, 
establish new AFRP zones in Connecticut and Long Island, New York, and 
modify the AFRP zone season opening and closing framework dates in 
Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. These recommended 
changes all conform to the existing criteria, as amended above, for 
delineating AFRP hunting zones and establishing AFRP season framework 
dates. We further note that resident Canada geese are overabundant in 
many areas of the Atlantic Flyway and currently number approximately 
1.0 million birds, significantly above the goal in the Atlantic Flyway 
Resident Canada Goose Management Plan of 650,000 geese. All of the 
Flyway's objectives to increase the harvest of resident Canada geese 
are consistent with those identified in the Service's 2005 Final 
Environmental Impact Statement on Resident Canada Goose Management (70 
FR 69985, November 18, 2005).
    We also concur with the Atlantic Flyway Council's recommended 
frameworks for the SJBP harvest zones in the Atlantic Flyway. We note 
that the SJBP Management Plan was recently revised and approved by both 
the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyway Councils and guides management 
decisions in both flyways. The plan goal is to maintain the SJBP at a 
level that can sustain use throughout its current range, while allowing 
for the management of resident Canada geese. A key part of the plan is 
a harvest strategy designed to test the resident Canada goose buffering 
hypothesis. This hypothesis states that large populations of resident 
Canada geese are now buffering the harvest of SJBP geese, and therefore 
liberalization in hunting regulations will result in more harvest of 
resident Canada geese, and not SJBP Canada geese. Further, genetic 
studies and analysis of band recoveries indicate SJBP harvest zones in 
many States no longer function as concentration zones for SJBP geese 
and may therefore be ineffective at protecting SJBP geese. We agree 
that these reductions in hunting opportunity and hunting pressure on 
resident Canada geese may not be warranted when many SJBP harvest zones 
hold a smaller proportion of SJBP geese than they did historically. The 
newly revised SJBP plan also calls for holding regulations stable for a 
5-year period (2008-2013). If the spring population estimate falls 
below 50,000 in combination with either an unabated negative trend in 
the estimate over 3 years or more, and evidence of unsustainable 
harvest rates, then appropriate regulation changes will be implemented 
as/when necessary in both the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways. We 
believe that these proposed regulation changes will provide for 
increased hunting opportunity and harvest of AFRP geese, while 
maintaining the SJBP at levels identified in the 2008 plan.
    We also concur with all of the recommendations forwarded by the 
Pacific Flyway Council. Some of these changes are designed to afford 
greater protection to Tule white-fronted geese and the Service strongly 
supports these efforts (see discussion under 5. White-fronted Geese). 
In addition, the other changes in Canada goose seasons are relatively 
minor and are being

[[Page 51131]]

undertaken for administrative reasons and are not expected to impact 
populations.

5. White-fronted Geese

    Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council recommended the 
following area, bag, and season length changes described below:
    (1) In the Lake County portion of the Harney, Lake, and Malheur 
County Zone reduce the daily bag limit for white-fronted geese from 2 
to 1;
    (2) In the Klamath County Zone of Oregon, for hunting days 
occurring after the last Sunday in January, change the daily bag limit 
of 2 white-fronted geese to a bag limit of 1 white-fronted goose and 3 
white geese; and
    (3) Reduce the bag limit on dark geese in Wyoming from 4 to 3 
geese.
    Service Response: We concur with the proposed changes in goose 
frameworks proposed by the Pacific Flyway Council. In general, these 
changes are designed to afford greater protection to Tule white-fronted 
geese and we strongly support these efforts. Tule greater white-fronted 
geese continue to be of concern because of low population numbers. In 
Oregon, Tule white-fronted geese are predominantly encountered in Lake 
County where the bag limit for white-fronted geese has been two for 
some time. Because of the continued concern for Tule geese, and 
uncertainty about their true population size, we agree with the Pacific 
Flyway Council that a reduction in harvest is warranted. This proposed 
change will keep Tule goose harvest in Oregon at minimum levels and 
support ongoing research efforts to assess population status.
    We note, however, that indices to the Pacific population of white-
fronted geese exceed management plan goals and this population is 
responsible for numerous agricultural depredation complaints in the 
Klamath Basin as well. However, given the concerns over the status of 
population of Tule white-fronted geese, which, as documented through 
telemetry observations, are present in at least very low numbers in the 
Oregon portion of the Klamath Basin during this time period, further 
assessment is warranted.

6. Brant

    Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommends a 
60-day season with a 3-bird daily bag limit for Atlantic brant.
    Service Response: We concur with the Atlantic Flyway Council's 
recommendation. The 2008 Mid-Winter Index (MWI) for Atlantic brant was 
160,618 brant. The Brant Management Plan prescribes a 60-day season 
with a 3-bird daily bag limit when the MWI estimate is above 150,000 
and productivity and food supplies are deemed sufficient to sustain 
additional harvest opportunity. We note that productivity for 2008 
looks very good on the main breeding grounds and that productivity in 
2007 was good, with approximately 28-31 percent young in the fall 
productivity surveys. Thus, we agree with the Council that an increase 
of 10 days with the associated daily bag limit increase is the proper 
approach for the upcoming season.

7. Snow and Ross's (Light) Geese

    Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council recommended 
several area, bag, and season length changes for light geese:
    (1) In the States of California, Oregon, and Washington increase 
the light goose season length to 107 days, and in the States of 
California and Oregon increase the bag limit to 6 light geese per day 
and extend the light goose framework ending date to March 10;
    (2) Increase the bag limit to 10 light geese per day in all other 
states of the Pacific Flyway with a framework ending date of March 10; 
and
    (3) In the Klamath County Zone of Oregon, for hunting days 
occurring after the last Sunday in January, change the daily bag limit 
of 2 white-fronted geese to a bag limit of 1 white-fronted goose and 3 
white geese.
    Service Response: We support the proposed changes for light geese 
in the Pacific Flyway. Last year the Flyway's December goose count 
exceeded 1 million for the first time, representing a doubling of this 
index since 1999. Light goose indices (Snow and Ross' geese combined) 
indicate that all recognized populations currently exceed management 
plan goals. In some areas of the Pacific Flyway, these goose 
populations are leading to increasing depredation complaints. In 
addition, numbers of light geese breeding on Wrangle Island, Russia, a 
colony that has been of concern in the past, has recovered to near 
record levels in the past few years. We support efforts to increase 
harvest of these geese in aid of limiting further population growth and 
perhaps avoiding the overabundance problems associated with the species 
that have been documented in several of the mid-continent region.

Public Comments

    The Department of the Interior's policy is, whenever practicable, 
to afford the public an opportunity to participate in the rulemaking 
process. Accordingly, we invite interested persons to submit written 
comments, suggestions, or recommendations regarding the proposed 
regulations. Before promulgation of final migratory game bird hunting 
regulations, we will take into consideration all comments received. 
Such comments, and any additional information received, may lead to 
final regulations that differ from these proposals.
    You may submit your comments and materials concerning this proposed 
rule by one of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES section. We will not 
consider comments sent by e-mail or fax or to an address not listed in 
the ADDRESSES section. Finally, we will not consider hand-delivered 
comments that we do not receive, or mailed comments that are not 
postmarked, by the date specified in the DATES section.
    We will post your entire comment--including your personal 
identifying information--on http://www.regulations.gov. If you provide 
personal identifying information in your comment, you may request at 
the top of your document that we withhold this information from public 
review. However, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
    Comments and materials we receive, as well as supporting 
documentation we used in preparing this proposed rule, will be 
available for public inspection on http://www.regulations.gov, or by 
appointment, during normal business hours, at the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, Division of Migratory Bird Management, Room 4107, 
4501 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203.
    For each series of proposed rulemakings, we will establish specific 
comment periods. We will consider, but possibly may not respond in 
detail to, each comment. As in the past, we will summarize all comments 
received during the comment period and respond to them after the 
closing date in any final rules.

NEPA Consideration

    NEPA considerations are covered by the programmatic document 
``Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement: Issuance of Annual 
Regulations Permitting the Sport Hunting of Migratory Birds (FSES 88-
14),'' filed with the Environmental Protection Agency on June 9, 1988. 
We published a notice of availability in the Federal Register on June 
16, 1988 (53 FR 22582). We published our Record of Decision on August 
18, 1988 (53 FR 31341). In addition, an August 1985 environmental 
assessment entitled ``Guidelines for Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations 
on Federal Indian Reservations and Ceded Lands'' is available from the 
address indicated

[[Page 51132]]

under the caption FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
    In a notice published in the September 8, 2005 Federal Register (70 
FR 53376), we announced our intent to develop a new Supplemental 
Environmental Impact Statement for the migratory bird hunting program. 
Public scoping meetings were held in the spring of 2006, as detailed in 
a March 9, 2006 Federal Register (71 FR 12216). We have prepared a 
scoping report summarizing the scoping comments and scoping meetings. 
The report is available by either writing to the address indicated 
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT or by viewing on our Web site at 
http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds.

Endangered Species Act Consideration

    Prior to issuance of the 2008-09 migratory game bird hunting 
regulations, we will comply with provisions of the Endangered Species 
Act of 1973, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1531-1543; hereinafter, the Act), to 
ensure that hunting is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence 
of any species designated as endangered or threatened, or modify or 
destroy its critical habitat, and is consistent with conservation 
programs for those species. Consultations under section 7 of this Act 
may cause us to change proposals in this and future supplemental 
rulemaking documents.

Executive Order 12866

    The Office of Management and Budget has determined that this rule 
is significant and has reviewed this rule under Executive Order 12866. 
OMB bases its determination upon the following four criteria:
    (a) Whether the rule will have an annual effect of $100 million or 
more on the economy or adversely affect an economic sector, 
productivity, jobs, the environment, or other units of the government.
    (b) Whether the rule will create inconsistencies with other Federal 
agencies' actions.
    (c) Whether the rule will materially affect entitlements, grants, 
user fees, loan programs, or the rights and obligations of their 
recipients.
    (d) Whether the rule raises novel legal or policy issues.

Clarity of the Rule

    We are required by Executive Orders 12866 and 12988 and by the 
Presidential Memorandum of June 1, 1998, to write all rules in plain 
language. This means that each rule we publish must:
    (a) Be logically organized;
    (b) Use the active voice to address readers directly;
    (c) Use clear language rather than jargon;
    (d) Be divided into short sections and sentences; and
    (e) Use lists and tables wherever possible.
    If you feel that we have not met these requirements, send us 
comments by one of the methods listed in the ADDRESSES section. To 
better help us revise the rule, your comments should be as specific as 
possible. For example, you should tell us the numbers of the sections 
or paragraphs that are unclearly written, which sections or sentences 
are too long, the sections where you feel lists or tables would be 
useful, etc.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The regulations have a significant economic impact on substantial 
numbers of small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 
U.S.C. 601 et seq.). We analyzed the economic impacts of the annual 
hunting regulations on small business entities in detail as part of the 
1981 cost-benefit analysis discussed under Executive Order 12866. This 
analysis was revised annually from 1990-95. In 1995, the Service issued 
a Small Entity Flexibility Analysis (Analysis), which was subsequently 
updated in 1996, 1998, 2004, and 2008. The primary source of 
information about hunter expenditures for migratory game bird hunting 
is the National Hunting and Fishing Survey, which is conducted at 5-
year intervals. The 2008 Analysis was based on the 2006 National 
Hunting and Fishing Survey and the U.S. Department of Commerce's County 
Business Patterns, from which it was estimated that migratory bird 
hunters would spend approximately $1.2 billion at small businesses in 
2008. Copies of the Analysis are available upon request from the 
address indicated under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT or from our Web 
site at http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/reports/reports.html or at 
http://www.regulations.gov.

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act

    This rule is a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804(2), the Small Business 
Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act. For the reasons outlined above, 
this rule has an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more. 
However, because this rule establishes hunting seasons, we do not plan 
to defer the effective date under the exemption contained in 5 U.S.C. 
808(1).

Paperwork Reduction Act

    We examined these regulations under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). The various recordkeeping and reporting 
requirements imposed under regulations established in 50 CFR part 20, 
Subpart K, are utilized in the formulation of migratory game bird 
hunting regulations. Specifically, OMB has approved the information 
collection requirements of our Migratory Bird Surveys and assigned 
control number 1018-0023 (expires 2/28/2011). This information is used 
to provide a sampling frame for voluntary national surveys to improve 
our harvest estimates for all migratory game birds in order to better 
manage these populations. OMB has also approved the information 
collection requirements of the Alaska Subsistence Household Survey, an 
associated voluntary annual household survey used to determine levels 
of subsistence take in Alaska, and assigned control number 1018-0124 
(expires 1/31/2010). A Federal agency may not conduct or sponsor and a 
person is not required to respond to a collection of information unless 
it displays a currently valid OMB control number.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

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

Civil Justice Reform--Executive Order 12988

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

Takings Implication Assessment

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

[[Page 51133]]

Energy Effects--Executive Order 13211

    On May 18, 2001, the President issued Executive Order 13211 on 
regulations that significantly affect energy supply, distribution, and 
use. Executive Order 13211 requires agencies to prepare Statements of 
Energy Effects when undertaking certain actions. While this proposed 
rule is a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866, it 
is not expected to adversely affect energy supplies, distribution, or 
use. Therefore, this action is not a significant energy action and no 
Statement of Energy Effects is required.

Federalism Effects

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

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 20

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

    The rules that eventually will be promulgated for the 2008-09 
hunting season are authorized under 16 U.S.C. 703-712 and 16 U.S.C. 742 
a-j.

    Dated: August 25, 2008.
David M. Verhey,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.

Proposed Regulations Frameworks for 2008-09 Late Hunting Seasons on 
Certain Migratory Game Birds

    Pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and delegated 
authorities, the Department has approved frameworks for season lengths, 
shooting hours, bag and possession limits, and outside dates within 
which States may select seasons for hunting waterfowl and coots between 
the dates of September 1, 2008, and March 10, 2009.

General

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

Flyways and Management Units

Waterfowl Flyways

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

Management Units

    High Plains Mallard Management Unit--roughly defined as that 
portion of the Central Flyway that lies west of the 100th meridian.
    Definitions: For the purpose of hunting regulations listed below, 
the collective terms ``dark'' and ``light'' geese include the following 
species:
    Dark geese: Canada geese, white-fronted geese, brant (except in 
California, Oregon, Washington, and the Atlantic Flyway), and all other 
goose species except light geese.
    Light geese: snow (including blue) geese and Ross' geese.
    Area, Zone, and Unit Descriptions: Geographic descriptions related 
to late-season regulations are contained in a later portion of this 
document.
    Area-Specific Provisions: Frameworks for open seasons, season 
lengths, bag and possession limits, and other special provisions are 
listed below by Flyway.

Waterfowl Seasons in the Atlantic Flyway

    In the Atlantic Flyway States of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, 
Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and 
Virginia, where Sunday hunting is prohibited statewide by State law, 
all Sundays are closed to all take of migratory waterfowl (including 
mergansers and coots).

Special Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days

    Outside Dates: States may select two consecutive days (hunting days 
in Atlantic Flyway States with compensatory days) per duck-hunting 
zone, designated as ``Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days,'' in addition to 
their regular duck seasons. The days must be held outside any regular 
duck season on a weekend, holiday, or other non-school day when youth 
hunters would have the maximum opportunity to participate. The days may 
be held up to 14 days before or after any regular duck-season 
frameworks or within any split of a regular duck season, or within any 
other open season on migratory birds.
    Daily Bag Limits: The daily bag limits may include ducks, geese, 
tundra swans, mergansers, coots, moorhens, and gallinules and would be 
the same as those allowed in the regular season. Flyway species and 
area restrictions would remain in effect.
    Shooting Hours: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
    Participation Restrictions: Youth hunters must be 15 years of age 
or younger. In addition, an adult at least 18 years of age must 
accompany the youth hunter into the field. This adult may not duck hunt 
but may participate in other seasons that are open on the special youth 
day. Tundra swans may only be taken by participants possessing 
applicable tundra swan permits.

[[Page 51134]]

Atlantic Flyway

Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots

    Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 
27) and the last Sunday in January (January 25).
    Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: 60 days. The daily bag limit is 6 
ducks, including no more than 4 mallards (2 hens), 1 black duck, 1 
pintail, 1 mottled duck, 1 fulvous whistling duck, 3 wood ducks, 2 
redheads, and 4 scoters. For scaup, the daily bag limit may be 2 for up 
to 20 consecutive hunting days, which may be split according to 
applicable zones/split duck hunting configurations approved for each 
State, and 1 for the remainder of the season. A daily bag limit of 2 
scaup may also be included in the 6-bird daily bag limit for designated 
youth-hunt days.
    Closures: The season on canvasbacks and harlequin ducks is closed.
    Sea Ducks: Within the special sea duck areas, during the regular 
duck season in the Atlantic Flyway, States may choose to allow the 
above sea duck limits in addition to the limits applying to other ducks 
during the regular duck season. In all other areas, sea ducks may be 
taken only during the regular open season for ducks and are part of the 
regular duck season daily bag (not to exceed 4 scoters) and possession 
limits.
    Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit of mergansers is 5, only 2 of 
which may be hooded mergansers. In States that include mergansers in 
the duck bag limit, the daily limit is the same as the duck bag limit, 
only 2 of which may be hooded mergansers.
    Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 coots.
    Lake Champlain Zone, New York: The waterfowl seasons, limits, and 
shooting hours shall be the same as those selected for the Lake 
Champlain Zone of Vermont.
    Connecticut River Zone, Vermont: The waterfowl seasons, limits, and 
shooting hours shall be the same as those selected for the Inland Zone 
of New Hampshire.
    Zoning and Split Seasons: Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, 
North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Virginia may split 
their seasons into three segments; Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, 
New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and West 
Virginia may select hunting seasons by zones and may split their 
seasons into two segments in each zone.

Canada Geese

    Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: Specific regulations for 
Canada geese are shown below by State. These seasons also include 
white-fronted geese. Unless specified otherwise, seasons may be split 
into two segments. In areas within States where the framework closing 
date for Atlantic Population (AP) goose seasons overlaps with special 
late-season frameworks for resident geese, the framework closing date 
for AP goose seasons is January 14.
    Connecticut:
    North Atlantic Population (NAP) Zone: Between October 1 and January 
31, a 60-day season may be held with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
    Atlantic Population (AP) Zone: A 45-day season may be held between 
the fourth Saturday in October (October 25) and January 31, with a 3-
bird daily bag limit.
    South Zone: A special season may be held between January 15 and 
February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
    Resident Population (RP) Zone: An 80-day season may be held between 
October 1 and February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season 
may be split into 3 segments.
    Delaware: A 45-day season may be held between November 15 and 
January 31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
    Florida: An 80-day season may be held between November 15 and 
February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split 
into 3 segments.
    Georgia: In specific areas, an 80-day season may be held between 
November 15 and February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season 
may be split into 3 segments.
    Maine: A 60-day season may be held statewide between October 1 and 
January 31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
    Maryland:
    RP Zone: An 80-day season may be held between November 15 and March 
10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3 
segments.
    AP Zone: A 45-day season may be held between November 15 and 
January 31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
    Massachusetts:
    NAP Zone: A 60-day season may be held between October 1 and January 
31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit. Additionally, a special season may 
be held from January 15 to February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
    AP Zone: A 45-day season may be held between October 20 and January 
31, with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
    New Hampshire: A 60-day season may be held statewide between 
October 1 and January 31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
    New Jersey:
    Statewide: A 45-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday 
in October (October 25) and January 31, with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
    Special Late Goose Season Area: An experimental season may be held 
in designated areas of North and South New Jersey from January 15 to 
February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
    New York:
    NAP Zone: Between October 1 and January 31, a 60-day season may be 
held, with a 2-bird daily bag limit in the High Harvest areas; and 
between October 1 and February 15, a 70-day season may be held, with a 
3-bird daily bag limit in the Low Harvest areas.
    Special Late Goose Season Area: An experimental season may be held 
between January 15 and February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit in 
designated areas of Chemung, Delaware, Tioga, Broome, Sullivan, 
Westchester, Nassau, Suffolk, Orange, Dutchess, Putnam, and Rockland 
Counties.
    AP Zone: A 45-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday in 
October (October 25), except in the Lake Champlain Area where the 
opening date is October 20, and January 31, with a 3-bird daily bag 
limit.
    Western Long Island RP Zone: An 80-day season may be held between 
October 1 and February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season 
may be split into 3 segments.
    Rest of State RP Zone: An 80-day season may be held between the 
fourth Saturday in October (October 25) and March 10, with a 5-bird 
daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3 segments.
    North Carolina:
    SJBP Zone: A 70-day season may be held between October 1 and 
December 31, with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
    RP Zone: An 80-day season may be held between October 1 and March 
10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3 
segments.
    Northeast Hunt Unit: A 30-day experimental season (1,000 permits) 
may be held concurrent with the season selected for the Back Bay Area 
of Virginia. The seasonal bag limit is 1 bird.
    Pennsylvania:
    SJBP Zone: A 70-day season may be held between the second Saturday 
in October (October 11) and February 15.
    RP Zone: An 80-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday 
in October (October 25) and March 10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. 
The season may be split into 3 segments.
    AP Zone: A 45-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday in 
October (October 25) and January 31, with a 3-bird daily bag limit.
    Rhode Island: A 60-day season may be held between October 1 and 
January

[[Page 51135]]

31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit. An experimental season may be held 
in designated areas from January 15 to February 15, with a 5-bird daily 
bag limit.
    South Carolina: In designated areas, an 80-day season may be held 
during November 15 to February 15, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The 
season may be split into 3 segments.
    Vermont: A 45-day season may be held between the fourth Saturday in 
October (October 25), except in the Lake Champlain Zone and Interior 
Zone where the opening date is October 20, and January 31, with a 3-
bird daily bag limit.
    Virginia:
    SJBP Zone: A 40-day season may be held between November 15 and 
January 14, with a 3-bird daily bag limit. Additionally, an 
experimental season may be held between January 15 and February 15, 
with a 5-bird daily bag limit.
    AP Zone: A 45-day season may be held between November 15 and 
January 31, with a 2-bird daily bag limit.
    RP Zone: An 80-day season may be held between November 15 and March 
10, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split into 3 
segments.
    Back Bay Area: A 30-day experimental season may be held between 
December 22 and January 24 in the AP Zone, with a 2-bird daily bag 
limit.
    West Virginia: An 80-day season may be held between October 1 and 
January 31, with a 5-bird daily bag limit. The season may be split into 
2 segments in each zone.

Light Geese

    Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select a 107-
day season between October 1 and March 10, with a 15-bird daily bag 
limit and no possession limit. States may split their seasons into 3 
segments, except in Delaware and Maryland, where, following the 
completion of their duck season, and until March 10, Delaware and 
Maryland may split the remaining portion of the season to allow hunting 
on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays only.

Brant

    Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select a 60-
day season between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 27) and 
January 31, with a 3-bird daily bag limit. States may split their 
seasons into 2 segments.

Mississippi Flyway

Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots

    Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 
27) and the last Sunday in January (January 25).
    Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: The season may not exceed 60 days, 
with a daily bag limit of 6 ducks, including no more than 4 mallards 
(no more than 2 of which may be females), 3 mottled ducks, 1 black 
duck, 1 pintail, 3 wood ducks, and 2 redheads. For scaup, the daily bag 
limit may be 2 for up to 20 consecutive hunting days, which may be 
split according to applicable zones/split duck hunting configurations 
approved for each State, and 1 for the remainder of the season. The 
season for canvasbacks is closed. A daily bag limit of 2 scaup may also 
be included in the 6-bird daily bag limit for designated youth-hunt 
days.
    Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit is 5, only 2 of which may be 
hooded mergansers. In States that include mergansers in the duck bag 
limit, the daily limit is the same as the duck bag limit, only 2 of 
which may be hooded mergansers.
    Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 coots.
    Zoning and Split Seasons: Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, 
Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, 
and Wisconsin may select hunting seasons by zones.
    In Alabama, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, 
Minnesota, Ohio, Tennessee, and Wisconsin, the season may be split into 
2 segments in each zone.
    In Arkansas and Mississippi, the season may be split into 3 
segments.

Geese

    Split Seasons: Seasons for geese may be split into 3 segments.
    Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits: States may select 
seasons for light geese not to exceed 107 days, with 20 geese daily 
between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 27) and March 10; 
for white-fronted geese not to exceed 72 days with 2 geese daily or 86 
days with 1 goose daily between the Saturday nearest September 24 
(September 27) and the Sunday nearest February 15 (February 15); and 
for brant not to exceed 70 days, with 2 brant daily or 107 days with 1 
brant daily between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 27) 
and January 31. There is no possession limit for light geese. Specific 
regulations for Canada geese and exceptions to the above general 
provisions are shown below by State. Except as noted below, the outside 
dates for Canada geese are the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 
27) and January 31.
    Alabama: In the SJBP Goose Zone, the season for Canada geese may 
not exceed 70 days. Elsewhere, the season for Canada geese may extend 
for 70 days in the respective duck-hunting zones. The daily bag limit 
is 2 Canada geese.
    Arkansas: In the Northwest Zone, the season for Canada geese may 
extend for 50 days. In the remainder of the State, the season may not 
exceed 40 days. The season may extend to February 15. The daily bag 
limit is 2 Canada geese.
    Illinois: The season for Canada geese may extend for 85 days in the 
North and Central Zones and 66 days in the South Zone. The daily bag 
limit is 2 Canada geese.
    Indiana: The season for Canada geese may extend for 74 days. The 
daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    Late Canada Goose Season Zone--an experimental special Canada goose 
season of up to 15 days may be held during February 1-15. During this 
special season the daily bag limit cannot exceed 5 Canada geese.
    Iowa: The season for Canada geese may extend for 90 days. The daily 
bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    Kentucky:
    (a) Western Zone--The season for Canada geese may extend for 70 
days (85 days in Fulton County). The season in Fulton County may extend 
to February 15. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (b) Pennyroyal/Coalfield Zone--The season may extend for 70 days. 
The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (c) Remainder of the State--The season may extend for 70 days. The 
daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    Louisiana: The season for Canada geese may extend for 16 days. 
During the season, the daily bag limit is 1 Canada goose and 2 white-
fronted geese with a 72-day white-fronted goose season or 1 white-
fronted goose with an 86-day season. Hunters participating in the 
Canada goose season must possess a special permit issued by the State.
    Michigan:
    (a) North Zone--The framework opening date for all geese is 
September 16 and the season for Canada geese may extend for 45 days. 
The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (b) Middle Zone--The framework opening date for all geese is 
September 16 and the season for Canada geese may extend for 45 days. 
The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (c) South Zone--The framework opening date for all geese is 
September 16 and the season for Canada geese may

[[Page 51136]]

extend for 45 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (1) Allegan County and Muskegon Wastewater GMU--The framework 
opening date for all geese is September 16 and the season for Canada 
geese may extend for 45 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (3) Saginaw County and Tuscola/Huron GMUs--The framework opening 
date for all geese is September 16 and the season for Canada geese may 
extend for 45 days through December 30 and an additional 30 days may be 
held between December 31 and February 7. The daily bag limit is 2 
Canada geese.
    (d) Southern Michigan Late Season Canada Goose Zone--A 30-day 
special Canada goose season may be held between December 31 and 
February 7. The daily bag limit may not exceed 5 Canada geese.
    Minnesota:
    (a) West Zone.
    (1) West Central Zone--The season for Canada geese may extend for 
41 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (2) Remainder of West Zone--The season for Canada geese may extend 
for 60 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (b) Remainder of the State--The season for Canada geese may extend 
for 70 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (c) Special Late Canada Goose Season--A special Canada goose season 
of up to 10 days may be held in December, except in the West Central 
Goose zone. During the special season, the daily bag limit is 5 Canada 
geese, except in the Southeast Goose Zone, where the daily bag limit is 
2.
    Mississippi: The season for Canada geese may extend for 70 days. 
The daily bag limit is 3 Canada geese.
    Missouri: The season for Canada geese may extend for 79 days and 
may be split into 3 segments provided that at least 1 segment of at 
least 9 days occurs prior to October 16. The daily bag limit is 3 
Canada geese through October 15 and 2 Canada geese thereafter.
    Ohio:
    (a) Lake Erie Zone--The season may extend for 70 days with no more 
than one split and must close no later than December 28, 2008. The 
daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (b) North Zone--The season may extend for 70 days with no more than 
one split and must close no later than January 11, 2009. The daily bag 
limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (c) South Zone--The season may extend for 70 days with no more than 
one split and must close no later than January 25, 2009. The daily bag 
limit is 2 Canada geese.
    Tennessee:
    (a) Northwest Zone--The season for Canada geese may not exceed 72 
days, and may extend to February 15. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada 
geese.
    (b) Southwest Zone--The season for Canada geese may extend for 72 
days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (c) Kentucky/Barkley Lakes Zone--The season for Canada geese may 
extend for 72 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    (d) Remainder of the State--The season for Canada geese may extend 
for 72 days. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.
    Wisconsin:
    (a) Horicon Zone--The framework opening date for all geese is 
September 16. The season may not exceed 92 days. All Canada geese 
harvested must be tagged. The season limit will be 6 Canada geese per 
permittee.
    (b) Collins Zone--The framework opening date for all geese is 
September 16. The season may not exceed 70 days. All Canada geese 
harvested must be tagged. The season limit will be 6 Canada geese per 
permittee.
    (c) Exterior Zone--The framework opening date for all geese is 
September 16. The season may not exceed 85 days. The daily bag limit is 
2 Canada geese.
    Additional Limits: In addition to the harvest limits stated for the 
respective zones above, an additional 4,500 Canada geese may be taken 
in the Horicon Zone under special agricultural permits.

Central Flyway

Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots

    Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 
27) and the last Sunday in January (January 25).
    Hunting Seasons:
    (1) High Plains Mallard Management Unit (roughly defined as that 
portion of the Central Flyway which lies west of the 100th meridian): 
97 days. The last 23 days may start no earlier than the Saturday 
nearest December 10 (December 13).
    (2) Remainder of the Central Flyway: 74 days.
    Bag Limits:
    (1) Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Oklahoma: The 
daily bag limit is 6 ducks, with species and sex restrictions as 
follows: 5 mallards (no more than 2 of which may be females), 2 
redheads, 2 scaup, 2 wood ducks, 1 pintail, 1 mottled duck, and 1 
canvasback. For pintails and canvasbacks, the season length would be 39 
days, which may be split according to applicable zones/split duck 
hunting configurations approved for each State. A single canvasback and 
pintail may also be included in the 6-bird daily bag limit for 
designated youth-hunt days.
    (2) Kansas, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming: The 
daily bag limit is 5 ducks, with species and sex restrictions as 
follows: 2 scaup, 2 redheads, and 2 wood ducks, and only 1 duck from 
the following group--hen mallard, mottled duck, pintail, canvasback.
    Merganser Limits: The daily bag limit is 5 mergansers, only 2 of 
which may be hooded mergansers. In States that include mergansers in 
the duck daily bag limit, the daily limit may be the same as the duck 
bag limit, only two of which may be hooded mergansers.
    Coot Limits: The daily bag limit is 15 coots.
    Zoning and Split Seasons: Kansas (Low Plains portion), Montana, 
Nebraska (Low Plains portion), New Mexico, Oklahoma (Low Plains 
portion), South Dakota (Low Plains portion), Texas (Low Plains 
portion), and Wyoming may select hunting seasons by zones.
    In Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, 
South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming, the regular season may be split into 
two segments.
    In Colorado, the season may be split into three segments.

Geese

    Split Seasons: Seasons for geese may be split into three segments. 
Three-way split seasons for Canada geese require Central Flyway Council 
and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approval, and a 3-year evaluation by 
each participating State.
    Outside Dates: For dark geese, seasons may be selected between the 
outside dates of the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 27) and 
the Sunday nearest February 15 (February 15). For light geese, outside 
dates for seasons may be selected between the Saturday nearest 
September 24 (September 27) and March 10. In the Rainwater Basin Light 
Goose Area (East and West) of Nebraska, temporal and spatial 
restrictions that are consistent with the late-winter snow goose 
hunting strategy cooperatively developed by the Central Flyway Council 
and the Service are required.
    Season Lengths and Limits:
    Light Geese: States may select a light goose season not to exceed 
107 days. The daily bag limit for light geese is 20 with no possession 
limit.
    Dark Geese: In Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South 
Dakota, and the Eastern Goose Zone of Texas,

[[Page 51137]]

States may select a season for Canada geese (or any other dark goose 
species except white-fronted geese) not to exceed 107 days with a daily 
bag limit of 3. Additionally, in the Eastern Goose Zone of Texas, an 
alternative season of 107 days with a daily bag limit of 1 Canada goose 
may be selected. For white-fronted geese, these States may select 
either a season of 72 days with a bag limit of 2 or an 86-day season 
with a bag limit of 1.
    In Montana, New Mexico and Wyoming, States may select seasons not 
to exceed 107 days. The daily bag limit for dark geese is 5 in the 
aggregate.
    In Colorado, the season may not exceed 107 days. The daily bag 
limit is 4 dark geese in the aggregate.
    In the Western Goose Zone of Texas, the season may not exceed 95 
days. The daily bag limit for Canada geese (or any other dark goose 
species except white-fronted geese) is 4. The daily bag limit for 
white-fronted geese is 1.

Pacific Flyway

Ducks, Mergansers, Coots, Common Moorhens, and Purple Gallinules

    Hunting Seasons and Duck Limits: Concurrent 107 days. The daily bag 
limit is 7 ducks and mergansers, including no more than 2 female 
mallards, 1 pintail, 2 scaup, and 2 redheads. For scaup, the season 
length would be 86 days, which may be split according to applicable 
zones/split duck hunting configurations approved for each State. The 
season on canvasbacks is closed. A daily bag limit of 2 scaup may also 
be included in the 7-bird daily bag limit for designated youth-hunt 
days.
    The season on coots and common moorhens may be between the outside 
dates for the season on ducks, but not to exceed 107 days.
    Coot, Common Moorhen, and Purple Gallinule Limits: The daily bag 
and possession limits of coots, common moorhens, and purple gallinules 
are 25, singly or in the aggregate.
    Outside Dates: Between the Saturday nearest September 24 (September 
27) and the last Sunday in January (January 25).
    Zoning and Split Seasons: Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, 
Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming may select hunting seasons by 
zones. Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, 
and Wyoming may split their seasons into two segments.
    Colorado, Montana, and New Mexico may split their seasons into 
three segments.
    Colorado River Zone, California: Seasons and limits shall be the 
same as seasons and limits selected in the adjacent portion of Arizona 
(South Zone).

Geese

    Season Lengths, Outside Dates, and Limits:
    California, Oregon, and Washington:
    Dark geese: Except as subsequently noted, 100-day seasons may be 
selected, with outside dates between the Saturday nearest October 1 
(October 4), and the last Sunday in January (January 25). The basic 
daily bag limit is 4 dark geese, except the dark goose bag limit does 
not include brant.
    Light geese: Except as subsequently noted, 107-day seasons may be 
selected, with outside dates between the Saturday nearest October 1 
(October 4), and March 10. The daily bag limit is 6 light geese.
    Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and 
Wyoming:
    Dark geese: Except as subsequently noted, 107-day seasons may be 
selected, with outside dates between the Saturday nearest September 24 
(September 27), and the last Sunday in January (January 25). The basic 
daily bag limit is 4 dark geese.
    Light geese: Except as subsequently noted, 107-day seasons may be 
selected, with outside dates between the Saturday nearest September 24 
(September 27), and March 10. The basic daily bag limit is 10 light 
geese.
    Split Seasons: Unless otherwise specified, seasons for geese may be 
split into up to 3 segments. Three-way split seasons for Canada geese 
and white-fronted geese require Pacific Flyway Council and U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service approval and a 3-year evaluation by each 
participating State.

Brant Season

    Oregon may select a 16-day season, Washington a 16-day season, and 
California a 30-day season. Days must be consecutive. Washington and 
California may select hunting seasons by up to two zones. The daily bag 
limit is 2 brant and is in addition to dark goose limits. In Oregon and 
California, the brant season must end no later than December 15.
    Arizona: The daily bag limit for dark geese is 3.
    California:
    Northeastern Zone: The daily bag limit is 6 dark geese and may 
include no more than 1 cackling Canada goose or 1 Aleutian Canada 
goose.
    Balance-of-the-State Zone: Limits may not include more than 6 dark 
geese per day. In the Sacramento Valley Special Management Area (West), 
the season on white-fronted geese must begin no earlier than the last 
Saturday in October and end on or before December 14, and the daily bag 
limit shall contain no more than 2 white-fronted geese. In the North 
Coast Special Management Area, 107-day seasons may be selected, with 
outside dates between the Saturday nearest October 1 (October 4) and 
March 10. Hunting days that occur after the last Sunday in January 
shall be concurrent with Oregon's South Coast Zone.
    Colorado: The daily bag limit for dark geese is 3 geese.
    Nevada: The daily bag limit for dark geese is 3.
    New Mexico: The daily bag limit for dark geese is 3.
    Oregon: Except as subsequently noted, the dark goose daily bag 
limit is 4, including not more than 1 cackling or Aleutian goose.
    Harney, Lake, and Malheur County Zone: For Lake County only, the 
daily dark goose bag limit may not include more than 1 white-fronted 
goose.
    Klamath County Zone: A 107-day season may be selected, with outside 
dates between the Saturday nearest October 1 (October 4), and March 10. 
A 3-way split season may be selected. The daily goose bag limit is 4 
dark geese and 4 white geese except for hunting days that occur after 
the last Sunday in January when only light geese and white-fronted 
geese may be taken. The daily bag limit of geese is 4 of which only 3 
may be light geese and only 1 may be a white-fronted goose.
    Northwest Special Permit Zone: Outside dates are between the 
Saturday nearest October 1 (October 4), and the Sunday closest to March 
1 (March 1). The daily bag limit of dark geese is 4 including not more 
than 2 cackling or Aleutian geese and daily bag limit of light geese is 
4. In those designated areas of Tillamook County open to hunting, the 
daily bag limit of dark geese is 2.
    South Coast Zone: The daily dark goose bag limit is 4 including 
cackling and Aleutian geese. In Oregon's South Coast Zone 107-day 
seasons may be selected, with outside dates between the Saturday 
nearest October 1 (October 4) and March 10. Hunting days that occur 
after the last Sunday in January shall be concurrent with California's 
North Coast Special Management Area. A 3-way split season may be 
selected.
    Southwest Zone: The daily dark goose bag limit is 4 including 
cackling and Aleutian geese.
    Utah: The daily bag limit for dark geese is 3.
    Washington: The daily bag limit is 4 geese.

[[Page 51138]]

    Area 1: Outside dates are between the Saturday nearest October 1 
(October 4), and the last Sunday in January (January 25).
    Areas 2A and 2B (Southwest Quota Zone): Except for designated 
areas, there will be no open season on Canada geese. See section on 
quota zones. In this area, the daily bag limit may include 2 cackling 
geese. In Southwest Quota Zone Area 2B (Pacific County), the daily bag 
limit may include 1 Aleutian goose.
    Areas 4 and 5: A 107 day season may be selected for dark geese.
    Wyoming: The daily bag limit for dark geese is 3.

Quota Zones

    Seasons on geese must end upon attainment of individual quotas of 
dusky geese allotted to the designated areas of Oregon (165) and 
Washington (85). The September Canada goose season, the regular goose 
season, any special late dark goose season, and any extended falconry 
season, combined, must not exceed 107 days, and the established quota 
of dusky geese must not be exceeded. Hunting of geese in those 
designated areas will only be by hunters possessing a State-issued 
permit authorizing them to do so. In a Service approved investigation, 
the State must obtain quantitative information on hunter compliance of 
those regulations aimed at reducing the take of dusky geese. If the 
monitoring program cannot be conducted, for any reason, the season must 
immediately close. In the designated areas of the Washington Southwest 
Quota Zone, a special late goose season may be held between the 
Saturday following the close of the general goose season and March 10. 
In the Northwest Special Permit Zone of Oregon, the framework closing 
date is extended to the Sunday closest to March 1 (March 1). Regular 
goose seasons may be split into 3 segments within the Oregon and 
Washington quota zones.

Swans

    In portions of the Pacific Flyway (Montana, Nevada, and Utah), an 
open season for taking a limited number of swans may be selected. 
Permits will be issued by the State and will authorize each permittee 
to take no more than 1 swan per season with each permit. Nevada may 
issue up to 2 permits per hunter. Montana and Utah may only issue 1 
permit per hunter. Each State's season may open no earlier than the 
Saturday nearest October 1 (October 4). These seasons are also subject 
to the following conditions:
    Montana: No more than 500 permits may be issued. The season must 
end no later than December 1. The State must implement a harvest-
monitoring program to measure the species composition of the swan 
harvest and should use appropriate measures to maximize hunter 
compliance in reporting bill measurement and color information.
    Utah: No more than 2,000 permits may be issued. During the swan 
season, no more than 10 trumpeter swans may be taken. The season must 
end no later than the second Sunday in December (December 14) or upon 
attainment of 10 trumpeter swans in the harvest, whichever occurs 
earliest. The Utah season remains subject to the terms of the 
Memorandum of Agreement entered into with the Service in August 2001, 
regarding harvest monitoring, season closure procedures, and education 
requirements to minimize the take of trumpeter swans during the swan 
season.
    Nevada: No more than 650 permits may be issued. During the swan 
season, no more than 5 trumpeter swans may be taken. The season must 
end no later than the Sunday following January 1 (January 4) or upon 
attainment of 5 trumpeter swans in the harvest, whichever occurs 
earliest.
    In addition, the States of Utah and Nevada must implement a 
harvest-monitoring program to measure the species composition of the 
swan harvest. The harvest-monitoring program must require that all 
harvested swans or their species-determinant parts be examined by 
either State or Federal biologists for the purpose of species 
classification. The States should use appropriate measures to maximize 
hunter compliance in providing bagged swans for examination. Further, 
the States of Montana, Nevada, and Utah must achieve at least an 80-
percent compliance rate, or subsequent permits will be reduced by 10 
percent. All three States must provide to the Service by June 30, 2009, 
a report detailing harvest, hunter participation, reporting compliance, 
and monitoring of swan populations in the designated hunt areas.

Tundra Swans

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

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

    In the Central Flyway:

--The season may be 107 days, from the Saturday nearest October 1 
(October 4) to January 31.
--In the Central Flyway portion of Montana, no more than 500 permits 
may be issued.
--In North Dakota, no more than 2,200 permits may be issued.
--In South Dakota, no more than 1,300 permits may be issued.

Area, Unit, and Zone Descriptions

Ducks (Including Mergansers) and Coots

Atlantic Flyway

Connecticut

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

Maine

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

Massachusetts

    Western Zone: That portion of the State west of a line extending 
south from the Vermont State line on I-91 to MA 9, west on MA 9 to MA 
10, south on MA 10 to U.S. 202, south on U.S. 202 to the Connecticut 
State line.
    Central Zone: That portion of the State east of the Berkshire Zone 
and west of a line extending south from the New Hampshire State line on 
I-95 to U.S. 1, south on U.S. 1 to I-93, south on I-93 to MA 3, south 
on MA 3 to U.S. 6, west on U.S. 6 to MA 28, west on MA 28 to I-195, 
west to the Rhode Island State line; except the waters, and the lands 
150 yards inland from the high-water mark, of the Assonet River 
upstream to the MA 24 bridge, and the

[[Page 51139]]

Taunton River upstream to the Center St.-Elm St. bridge shall be in the 
Coastal Zone.
    Coastal Zone: That portion of Massachusetts east and south of the 
Central Zone.

New Hampshire

    Coastal Zone: That portion of the State east of a line extending 
west from the Maine State line in Rollinsford on NH 4 to the city of 
Dover, south to NH 108, south along NH 108 through Madbury, Durham, and 
Newmarket to NH 85 in Newfields, south to NH 101 in Exeter, east to NH 
51 (Exeter-Hampton Expressway), east to I-95 (New Hampshire Turnpike) 
in Hampton, and south along I-95 to the Massachusetts State line.
    Inland Zone: That portion of the State north and west of the above 
boundary and along the Massachusetts State line crossing the 
Connecticut River to Interstate 91 and northward in Vermont to Route 2, 
east to 102, northward to the Canadian border.

New Jersey

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

New York

    Lake Champlain Zone: The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that 
area east and north of a line extending along NY 9B from the Canadian 
border to U.S. 9, south along U.S. 9 to NY 22 south of Keesville; south 
along NY 22 to the west shore of South Bay, along and around the 
shoreline of South Bay to NY 22 on the east shore of South Bay; 
southeast along NY 22 to U.S. 4, northeast along U.S. 4 to the Vermont 
State line.
    Long Island Zone: That area consisting of Nassau County, Suffolk 
County, that area of Westchester County southeast of I-95, and their 
tidal waters.
    Western Zone: That area west of a line extending from Lake Ontario 
east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, and south along 
I-81 to the Pennsylvania State line.
    Northeastern Zone: That area north of a line extending from Lake 
Ontario east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81 to NY 
31, east along NY 31 to NY 13, north along NY 13 to NY 49, east along 
NY 49 to NY 365, east along NY 365 to NY 28, east along NY 28 to NY 29, 
east along NY 29 to I-87, north along I-87 to U.S. 9 (at Exit 20), 
north along U.S. 9 to NY 149, east along NY 149 to U.S. 4, north along 
U.S. 4 to the Vermont State line, exclusive of the Lake Champlain Zone.
    Southeastern Zone: The remaining portion of New York.

Pennsylvania

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

Vermont

    Lake Champlain Zone: The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that 
area north and west of the line extending from the New York State line 
along U.S. 4 to VT 22A at Fair Haven; VT 22A to U.S. 7 at Vergennes; 
U.S. 7 to the Canadian border.
    Interior Zone: That portion of Vermont west of the Lake Champlain 
Zone and eastward of a line extending from the Massachusetts State line 
at Interstate 91; north along Interstate 91 to U.S. 2; east along U.S. 
2 to VT 102; north along VT 102 to VT 253; north along VT 253 to the 
Canadian border.
    Connecticut River Zone: The remaining portion of Vermont east of 
the Interior Zone.

West Virginia

    Zone 1: That portion outside the boundaries in Zone 2.
    Zone 2 (Allegheny Mountain Upland): That area bounded by a line 
extending south along U.S. 220 through Keyser to U.S. 50; U.S. 50 to WV 
93; WV 93 south to WV 42; WV 42 south to Petersburg; WV 28 south to 
Minnehaha Springs; WV 39 west to U.S. 219; U.S. 219 south to I-64; I-64 
west to U.S. 60; U.S. 60 west to U.S. 19; U.S. 19 north to I-79, I-79 
north to I-68; I-68 east to the Maryland State line; and along the 
State line to the point of beginning.

Mississippi Flyway

Alabama

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

Illinois

    North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending 
west from the Indiana border along Peotone-Beecher Road to Illinois 
Route 50, south along Illinois Route 50 to Wilmington-Peotone Road, 
west along Wilmington-Peotone Road to Illinois Route 53, north along 
Illinois Route 53 to New River Road, northwest along New River Road to 
Interstate Highway 55, south along I-55 to Pine Bluff-Lorenzo Road, 
west along Pine Bluff-Lorenzo Road to Illinois Route 47, north along 
Illinois Route 47 to I-80, west along I-80 to I-39, south along I-39 to 
Illinois Route 18, west along Illinois Route 18 to Illinois Route 29, 
south along Illinois Route 29 to Illinois Route 17, west along Illinois 
Route 17 to the Mississippi River, and due south across the Mississippi 
River to the Iowa border.
    Central Zone: That portion of the State south of the North Zone to 
a line extending west from the Indiana border along Interstate Highway 
70 to Illinois Route 4, south along Illinois Route 4 to Illinois Route 
161, west along Illinois Route 161 to Illinois Route 158, south and 
west along Illinois Route 158 to Illinois Route 159, south along 
Illinois Route 159 to Illinois Route 156, west along Illinois Route 156 
to A Road, north and west on A Road to Levee Road, north on Levee Road 
to the south shore of New Fountain Creek, west along the south shore of 
New Fountain Creek to the Mississippi River, and due west across the 
Mississippi River to the Missouri border.
    South Zone: The remainder of Illinois.

Indiana

    North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending 
east from the Illinois State line along State Road 18 to U.S. Highway 
31, north along U.S. 31 to U.S. 24, east along U.S. 24 to Huntington, 
then southeast along U.S. 224 to the Ohio State line.
    Ohio River Zone: That portion of the State south of a line 
extending east from the Illinois State line along Interstate

[[Page 51140]]

Highway 64 to New Albany, east along State Road 62 to State Road 56, 
east along State Road 56 to Vevay, east and north on State 156 along 
the Ohio River to North Landing, north along State 56 to U.S. Highway 
50, then northeast along U.S. 50 to the Ohio State line.
    South Zone: That portion of the State between the North and Ohio 
River Zone boundaries.

Iowa

    North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending 
east from the Nebraska border along State Highway 175 to State Highway 
37, southeast along State Highway 37 to State Highway 183, northeast 
along State Highway 183 to State Highway 141, east along State Highway 
141 to U.S. Highway 30, then east along U.S. Highway 30 to the Illinois 
border.
    South Zone: The remainder of Iowa.

Kentucky

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

Louisiana

    West Zone: That portion of the State west and south of a line 
extending south from the Arkansas State line along Louisiana Highway 3 
to Bossier City, east along Interstate Highway 20 to Minden, south 
along Louisiana 7 to Ringgold, east along Louisiana 4 to Jonesboro, 
south along U.S. Highway 167 to Lafayette, southeast along U.S. 90 to 
the Mississippi State line.
    East Zone: The remainder of Louisiana.

Michigan

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

Minnesota

    North Duck Zone: That portion of the State north of a line 
extending east from the North Dakota State line along State Highway 210 
to State Highway 23, east along State Highway 23 to State Highway 39, 
then east along State Highway 39 to the Wisconsin State line at the 
Oliver Bridge.
    South Duck Zone: The remainder of Minnesota.

Missouri

    North Zone: That portion of Missouri north of a line running west 
from the Illinois State line (Lock and Dam 25) on Lincoln County 
Highway N to Missouri Highway 79; south on Missouri Highway 79 to 
Missouri Highway 47; west on Missouri Highway 47 to Interstate 70; west 
on Interstate 70 to the Kansas State line.
    South Zone: That portion of Missouri south of a line running west 
from the Illinois State line on Missouri Highway 34 to Interstate 55; 
south on Interstate 55 to U.S. Highway 62; west on U.S. Highway 62 to 
Missouri Highway 53; north on Missouri Highway 53 to Missouri Highway 
51; north on Missouri Highway 51 to U.S. Highway 60; west on U.S. 
Highway 60 to Missouri Highway 21; north on Missouri Highway 21 to 
Missouri Highway 72; west on Missouri Highway 72 to Missouri Highway 
32; west on Missouri Highway 32 to U.S. Highway 65; north on U.S. 
Highway 65 to U.S. Highway 54; west on U.S. Highway 54 to the Kansas 
State line.
    Middle Zone: The remainder of Missouri.

Ohio

    North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending 
east from the Indiana State line along U.S. Highway 33 to State Route 
127, south along SR 127 to SR 703, south along SR 703 to SR 219, east 
along SR 219 to SR 364, north along SR 364 to SR 703, east along SR 703 
to SR 66, north along SR 66 to U.S. 33, east along U.S. 33 to SR 385, 
east along SR 385 to SR 117, south along SR 117 to SR 273, east along 
SR 273 to SR 31, south along SR 31 to SR 739, east along SR 739 to SR 
4, north along SR 4 to SR 95, east along SR 95 to SR 13, southeast 
along SR 13 to SR 3, northeast along SR 3 to SR 60, north along SR 60 
to U.S. 30, east along U.S. 30 to SR 3, south along SR 3 to SR 226, 
south along SR 226 to SR 514, southwest along SR 514 to SR 754, south 
along SR 754 to SR 39/60, east along SR 39/60 to SR 241, north along SR 
241 to U.S. 30, east along U.S.30 to SR 39, east along SR 39 to the 
Pennsylvania State line.
    South Zone: The remainder of Ohio.

Tennessee

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

Wisconsin

    North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending 
east from the Minnesota State line along U.S. Highway 10 to U.S. 
Highway 41, then north on U.S. Highway 41 to the Michigan State line.
    South Zone: The remainder of Wisconsin.

Central Flyway

Colorado (Central Flyway Portion)

    Eastern Plains Zone: That portion of the State east of Interstate 
25, and all of El Paso, Pueblo, Heurfano, and Las Animas Counties.
    Mountain/Foothills Zone: That portion of the State west of 
Interstate 25 and east of the Continental Divide, except El Paso, 
Pueblo, Heurfano, and Las Animas Counties.

Kansas

    High Plains Zone: That portion of the State west of U.S. 283.
    Low Plains Early Zone: That area of Kansas east of U.S. 283, and 
generally west of a line beginning at the Junction of the Nebraska 
border and KS 28; south on KS 28 to U.S. 36; east on U.S. 36 to KS 199; 
south on KS 199 to Republic Co. Road 563; south on Republic Co. Road 
563 to KS 148; east on KS 148 to Republic Co. Road 138; south on 
Republic Co. Road 138 to Cloud Co. Road 765; south on Cloud Co. Road 
765 to KS 9; west on KS 9 to U.S. 24; west on U.S. 24 to U.S. 281; 
north on U.S. 281 to U.S. 36; west on U.S. 36 to U.S. 183; south on 
U.S. 183 to U.S. 24; west on U.S. 24 to KS 18; southeast on KS 18 to 
U.S. 183; south on U.S. 183 to KS 4; east on KS 4 to I-135; south on I-
135 to KS 61; southwest on KS 61 to KS 96; northwest on KS 96 to U.S. 
56; southwest on U.S. 56 to KS 19; east on KS 19 to U.S. 281; south on 
U.S. 281 to U.S. 54; west on U.S. 54 to U.S. 183; north on U.S. 183 to 
U.S. 56; southwest on U.S. 56 to Ford Co. Road 126; south on Ford Co. 
Road 126 to U.S. 400; northwest on U.S. 400 to U.S. 283.
    Low Plains Late Zone: The remainder of Kansas.

[[Page 51141]]

Montana (Central Flyway Portion)

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

Nebraska

    High Plains Zone: That portion of Nebraska lying west of a line 
beginning at the South Dakota-Nebraska border on U.S. 183, south on 
U.S. 183 to U.S. 20, west on U.S. 20 to NE 7, south on NE 7 to NE 91, 
southwest on NE 91 to NE 2, southeast on NE 2 to NE 92, west on NE 92 
to NE 40, south on NE 40 to NE 47, south on NE 47 to NE 23, east on NE 
23 to U.S. 283 and south on U.S. 283 to the Kansas-Nebraska border.
    Low Plains Zone 1: That portion of Dixon County west of NE 26E Spur 
and north of NE 12; those portions of Cedar County north of NE 12; 
those portions of Knox counties north of NE 12 to intersection of 
Niobrara River; all of Boyd County; Keya Paha County east of U.S. 183. 
Both banks of the Niobrara River in Keya Paha, Boyd, and Knox counties 
east of U.S. 183 shall be included in Zone 1.
    Low Plains Zone 2: Area bounded by designated Federal and State 
highways and political boundaries beginning at the Kansas-Nebraska 
border on U.S. 75 to U.S. 136; east to the intersection of U.S. 136 and 
the Steamboat Trace (Trace); north along the Trace to the intersection 
with Federal Levee R-562; north along Federal Levee R-562 to the 
intersection with the Trace; north along the Trace/Burlington Northern 
Railroad right-of-way to NE 2; west to U.S. 75; north to NE 2; west to 
NE 43; north to U.S. 34; east to NE 63; north and west to U.S. 77; 
north to NE 92; west to U.S. 81; south to NE 66; west to NE 14; south 
to County Road 22 (Hamilton County); west to County Road M, south to 
County Road 21; west to County Road K; south U.S. 34; west to NE 2; 
south to U.S. I-80; west to Gunbarrel Road. (Hall/Hamilton county 
line); south to Giltner Road.; west to U.S. 281; south to U.S. 34; west 
to NE 10; north to County Road ``R'' (Kearney County) and County Road 
<greek-i>742 (Phelps County); west to County Road <greek-i>438 (Gosper 
County line); south along County Road <greek-i>438 (Gosper County line) 
to County Road <greek-i>726 (Furnas County line); east to County Road 
<greek-i>438 (Harlan County line); south to U.S. 34; south and west to 
U.S. 136; east to NE 14; south to the Kansas-Nebraska border, west to 
U.S. 283; north to NE 23; west to NE 47; north to U.S. 30; east to NE 
14; north to NE 52; west and north to NE 91 to U.S. 281; south to NE 
22; west to NE 11; northwest to NE 91; west to Loup County Line, north 
to Loup-Brown county line; east along northern boundaries of Loup, 
Garfield and Wheeler counties; south on the Wheeler-Antelope county 
line to NE 70; east to NE 14; south to NE 39; southeast to NE 22; east 
to U.S. 81; southeast to U.S. 30; east to U.S. 75, north to the 
Washington County line; east to the Iowa-Nebraska border; south along 
the Iowa-Nebraska border; to the beginning at U.S. 75 and the Kansas-
Nebraska border.
    Low Plains Zone 3: The area east of the High Plains Zone, excluding 
Low Plains Zone 1, north of Low Plains Zone 2.
    Low Plains Zone 4: The area east of the High Plains Zone and south 
of Zone 2.

New Mexico (Central Flyway Portion)

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

North Dakota

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

Oklahoma

    High Plains Zone: The Counties of Beaver, Cimarron, and Texas.
    Low Plains Zone 1: That portion of the State east of the High 
Plains Zone and north of a line extending east from the Texas State 
line along OK 33 to OK 47, east along OK 47 to U.S. 183, south along 
U.S. 183 to I-40, east along I-40 to U.S. 177, north along U.S. 177 to 
OK 33, east along OK 33 to OK 18, north along OK 18 to OK 51, west 
along OK 51 to I-35, north along I-35 to U.S. 412, west along U.S. 412 
to OK 132, then north along OK 132 to the Kansas State line.
    Low Plains Zone 2: The remainder of Oklahoma.

South Dakota

    High Plains Zone: That portion of the State west of a line 
beginning at the North Dakota State line and extending south along U.S. 
83 to U.S.14, east on U.S.14 to Blunt, south on the Blunt-Canning road 
to SD 34, east and south on SD 34 to SD 50 at Lee's Corner, south on SD 
50 to I-90, east on I-90 to SD 50, south on SD 50 to SD 44, west on SD 
44 across the Platte-Winner bridge to SD 47, south on SD 47 to U.S.18, 
east on U.S. 18 to SD 47, south on SD 47 to the Nebraska State line.
    North Zone: That portion of northeastern South Dakota east of the 
High Plains Unit and north of a line extending east along U.S. 212 to 
the Minnesota State line.
    South Zone: That portion of Gregory County east of SD 47 and south 
of SD 44; Charles Mix County south of SD 44 to the Douglas County line; 
south on SD 50 to Geddes; east on the Geddes Highway to U.S. 281; south 
on U.S. 281 and U.S. 18 to SD 50; south and east on SD 50 to the Bon 
Homme County line; the Counties of Bon Homme, Yankton, and Clay south 
of SD 50; and Union County south and west of SD 50 and I-29.
    Middle Zone: The remainder of South Dakota.

Texas

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

Wyoming (Central Flyway portion)

    Zone 1: The Counties of Converse, Goshen, Hot Springs, Natrona, 
Platte, and Washakie; and the portion of Park County east of the 
Shoshone National Forest boundary and south of a line beginning where 
the Shoshone National Forest boundary meets Park County Road 8VC, east 
along Park County Road 8VC to Park County Road 1AB, continuing east 
along Park County Road 1AB to Wyoming Highway 120, north along WY 
Highway 120 to WY Highway 294, south along WY Highway 294 to Lane 9, 
east along Lane 9 to Powel and WY Highway 14A, and finally east along 
WY Highway 14A to the Park County and Big Horn County line.
    Zone 2: The remainder of Wyoming.

[[Page 51142]]

Pacific Flyway

Arizona

    Game Management Units (GMU) as follows:
    South Zone: Those portions of GMUs 6 and 8 in Yavapai County, and 
GMUs 10 and 12B-45.
    North Zone: GMUs 1-5, those portions of GMUs 6 and 8 within 
Coconino County, and GMUs 7, 9, 12A.

California

    Northeastern Zone: In that portion of California lying east and 
north of a line beginning at the intersection of Interstate 5 with the 
California-Oregon line; south along Interstate 5 to its junction with 
Walters Lane south of the town or Yreka; west along Walters Lane to its 
junction with Easy Street; south along Easy Street to the junction with 
Old Highway 99: south along Old Highway 99 to the point of intersection 
with Interstate 5 north of the town of Weed; south along Interstate 5 
to its junction with Highway 89; east and south along Highway 89 to 
Main Street Greenville; north and east to its junction with North 
Valley Road; south to its junction of Diamond Mountain Road; north and 
east to its junction with North Arm Road; south and west to the 
junction of North Valley Road; south to the junction with Arlington 
Road (A22); west to the junction of Highway 89; south and west to the 
junction of Highway 70; east on Highway 70 to Highway 395; south and 
east on Highway 395 to the point of intersection with the California-
Nevada State line; north along the California-Nevada State line to the 
junction of the California-Nevada-Oregon State lines; west along the 
California-Oregon State line to the point of origin.
    Colorado River Zone: Those portions of San Bernardino, Riverside, 
and Imperial Counties east of a line extending from the Nevada State 
line south along U.S. 95 to Vidal Junction; south on a road known as 
``Aqueduct Road'' in San Bernardino County through the town of Rice to 
the San Bernardino-Riverside County line; south on a road known in 
Riverside County as the ``Desert Center to Rice Road'' to the town of 
Desert Center; east 31 miles on I-10 to the Wiley Well Road; south on 
this road to Wiley Well; southeast along the Army-Milpitas Road to the 
Blythe, Brawley, Davis Lake intersections; south on the Blythe-Brawley 
paved road to the Ogilby and Tumco Mine Road; south on this road to 
U.S. 80; east seven miles on U.S. 80 to the Andrade-Algodones Road; 
south on this paved road to the Mexican border at Algodones, Mexico.
    Southern Zone: That portion of southern California (but excluding 
the Colorado River Zone) south and east of a line extending from the 
Pacific Ocean east along the Santa Maria River to CA 166 near the City 
of Santa Maria; east on CA 166 to CA 99; south on CA 99 to the crest of 
the Tehachapi Mountains at Tejon Pass; east and north along the crest 
of the Tehachapi Mountains to CA 178 at Walker Pass; east on CA 178 to 
U.S. 395 at the town of Inyokern; south on U.S. 395 to CA 58; east on 
CA 58 to I-15; east on I-15 to CA 127; north on CA 127 to the Nevada 
State line.
    Southern San Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone: All of Kings and Tulare 
Counties and that portion of Kern County north of the Southern Zone.
    Balance-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of California not included 
in the Northeastern, Southern, and Colorado River Zones, and the 
Southern San Joaquin Valley Temporary Zone.

Idaho

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

Nevada

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

Oregon

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

Utah

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

Washington

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

Wyoming

    Snake River Zone: Beginning at the south boundary of Yellowstone 
National Park and the Continental Divide; south along the Continental 
Divide to Union Pass and the Union Pass Road (U.S.F.S. Road 600); west 
and south along the Union Pass Road to U.S.F.S. Road 605; south along 
U.S.F.S. Road 605 to the Bridger-Teton National Forest boundary; along 
the national forest boundary to the Idaho State line; north along the 
Idaho State line to the south boundary of Yellowstone National Park; 
east along the Yellowstone National Park boundary to the Continental 
Divide.
    Balance of Flyway Zone: Balance of the Pacific Flyway in Wyoming 
outside the Snake River Zone.

Geese

Atlantic Flyway

Connecticut
    AP Unit: Litchfield County and the portion of Hartford County west 
of a line beginning at the Massachusetts border in Suffield and 
extending south along Route 159 to its intersection with Route 91 in 
Hartford, and then extending south along Route 91 to its intersection 
with the Hartford/Middlesex County line.
    AFRP Unit: Starting at the intersection of I-95 and the Quinnipiac 
River, north on the Quinnipiac River to its intersection with I-91, 
north on I-91 to I-691, west on I-691 to the Hartford County line, and 
encompassing the rest

[[Page 51143]]

of New Haven County and Fairfield County in its entirety.
    NAP H-Unit: All of the rest of the State not included in the AP or 
AFRP descriptions above.
    South Zone: Same as for ducks.
    North Zone: Same as for ducks.
Maryland
    Resident Population (RP) Zone: Garrett, Allegany, Washington, 
Frederick, and Montgomery Counties; that portion of Prince George's 
County west of Route 3 and Route 301; that portion of Charles County 
west of Route 301 to the Virginia State line; and that portion of 
Carroll County west of Route 31 to the intersection of Route 97, and 
west of Route 97 to the Pennsylvania line.
    AP Zone: Remainder of the State.
Massachusetts
    NAP Zone: Central and Coastal Zones (see duck zones).
    AP Zone: The Western Zone (see duck zones).
    Special Late Season Area: The Central Zone and that portion of the 
Coastal Zone (see duck zones) that lies north of the Cape Cod Canal, 
north to the New Hampshire line.
New Hampshire
    Same zones as for ducks.
New Jersey
    North: That portion of the State within a continuous line that runs 
east along the New York State boundary line to the Hudson River; then 
south along the New York State boundary to its intersection with Route 
440 at Perth Amboy; then west on Route 440 to its intersection with 
Route 287; then west along Route 287 to its intersection with Route 206 
in Bedminster (Exit 18); then north along Route 206 to its intersection 
with Route 94: then west along Route 94 to the tollbridge in Columbia; 
then north along the Pennsylvania State boundary in the Delaware River 
to the beginning point.
    South: That portion of the State within a continuous line that runs 
west from the Atlantic Ocean at Ship Bottom along Route 72 to Route 70; 
then west along Route 70 to Route 206; then south along Route 206 to 
Route 536; then west along Route 536 to Route 322; then west along 
Route 322 to Route 55; then south along Route 55 to Route 553 (Buck 
Road); then south along Route 553 to Route 40; then east along Route 40 
to route 55; then south along Route 55 to Route 552 (Sherman Avenue); 
then west along Route 552 to Carmel Road; then south along Carmel Road 
to Route 49; then east along Route 49 to Route 555; then south along 
Route 555 to Route 553; then east along Route 553 to Route 649; then 
north along Route 649 to Route 670; then east along Route 670 to Route 
47; then north along Route 47 to Route 548; then east along Route 548 
to Route 49; then east along Route 49 to Route 50; then south along 
Route 50 to Route 9; then south along Route 9 to Route 625 (Sea Isle 
City Boulevard); then east along Route 625 to the Atlantic Ocean; then 
north to the beginning point.
New York
    Lake Champlain Goose Area: That area of New York State lying east 
and north of a continuous line extending along Route 11 from the New 
York-Canada International boundary south to Route 9B, south along Route 
9B to Route 9, south along Route 9 to Route 22 south of Keeseville, 
south along Route 22 to the west shore of South Bay along and around 
the shoreline of South Bay to Route 22 on the east shore of South Bay, 
southeast along Route 22 to Route 4, northeast along Route 4 to the New 
York-Vermont boundary.
    Northeast Goose Area: The same as the Northeastern Waterfowl 
Hunting Zone, which is that area of New York State lying north of a 
continuous line extending from Lake Ontario east along the north shore 
of the Salmon River to Interstate 81, south along Interstate Route 81 
to Route 31, east along Route 31 to Route 13, north along Route 13 to 
Route 49, east along Route 49 to Route 365, east along Route 365 to 
Route 28, east along Route 28 to Route 29, east along Route 29 to 
Interstate Route 87, north along Interstate Route 87 to Route 9 (at 
Exit 20), north along Route 9 to Route 149, east along Route 149 to 
Route 4, north along Route 4 to the New York-Vermont boundary, 
exclusive of the Lake Champlain Zone.
    East Central Goose Area: That area of New York State lying inside 
of a continuous line extending from Interstate Route 81 in Cicero, east 
along Route 31 to Route 13, north along Route 13 to Route 49, east 
along Route 49 to Route 365, east along Route 365 to Route 28, east 
along Route 28 to Route 29, east along Route 29 to Route 147 at Kimball 
Corners, south along Route 147 to Schenectady County Route 40 (West 
Glenville Road), west along Route 40 to Touareuna Road, south along 
Touareuna Road to Schenectady County Route 59, south along Route 59 to 
State Route 5, east along Route 5 to the Lock 9 bridge, southwest along 
the Lock 9 bridge to Route 5S, southeast along Route 5S to Schenectady 
County Route 58, southwest along Route 58 to the NYS Thruway, south 
along the Thruway to Route 7, southwest along Route 7 to Schenectady 
County Route 103, south along Route 103 to Route 406, east along Route 
406 to Schenectady County Route 99 (Windy Hill Road), south along Route 
99 to Dunnsville Road, south along Dunnsville Road to Route 397, 
southwest along Route 397 to Route 146 at Altamont, west along Route 
146 to Albany County Route 252, northwest along Route 252 to 
Schenectady County Route 131, north along Route 131 to Route 7, west 
along Route 7 to Route 10 at Richmondville, south on Route 10 to Route 
23 at Stamford, west along Route 23 to the south bank of the 
Susquehanna River, southwest along the south bank of the Susquehanna 
River to Interstate Route 88 near Harpursville, west along Route 88 to 
Route 79, northwest along Route 79 to Route 26 in Whitney Point, 
southwest along Route 26 to Interstate Route 81, north along Route 81 
to the point of beginning.
    West Central Goose Area: That area of New York State lying within a 
continuous line beginning at the point where the northerly extension of 
Route 269 (County Line Road on the Niagara-Orleans County boundary) 
meets the International boundary with Canada, south to the shore of 
Lake Ontario at the eastern boundary of Golden Hill State Park, south 
along the extension of Route 269 and Route 269 to Route 104 at Jeddo, 
west along Route 104 to Niagara County Route 271, south along Route 271 
to Route 31E at Middleport, south along Route 31E to Route 31, west 
along Route 31 to Griswold Street, south along Griswold Street to Ditch 
Road, south along Ditch Road to Foot Road, south along Foot Road to the 
north bank of Tonawanda Creek, west along the north bank of Tonawanda 
Creek to Route 93, south along Route 93 to Route 5, east along Route 5 
to Crittenden-Murrays Corners Road, south on Crittenden-Murrays Corners 
Road to the NYS Thruway, east along the Thruway 90 to Route 98 (at 
Thruway Exit 48) in Batavia, south along Route 98 to Route 20, east 
along Route 20 to Route 19 in Pavilion Center, south along Route 19 to 
Route 63, southeast along Route 63 to Route 246, south along Route 246 
to Route 39 in Perry, northeast along Route 39 to Route 20A, northeast 
along Route 20A to Route 20, east along Route 20 to Route 364 (near 
Canandaigua), south and east along Route 364 to Yates County Route 18 
(Italy Valley Road), southwest along Route 18 to Yates County Route 34, 
east along Route 34 to Yates County Route 32, south along Route 32 to 
Steuben County Route 122, south along Route 122 to Route 53, south 
along Route 53 to Steuben County

[[Page 51144]]

Route 74, east along Route 74 to Route 54A (near Pulteney), south along 
Route 54A to Steuben County Route 87, east along Route 87 to Steuben 
County Route 96, east along Route 96 to Steuben County Route 114, east 
along Route 114 to Schuyler County Route 23, east and southeast along 
Route 23 to Schuyler County Route 28, southeast along Route 28 to Route 
409 at Watkins Glen, south along Route 409 to Route 14, south along 
Route 14 to Route 224 at Montour Falls, east along Route 224 to Route 
228 in Odessa, north along Route 228 to Route 79 in Mecklenburg, east 
along Route 79 to Route 366 in Ithaca, northeast along Route 366 to 
Route 13, northeast along Route 13 to Interstate Route 81 in Cortland, 
north along Route 81 to the north shore of the Salmon River to shore of 
Lake Ontario, extending generally northwest in a straight line to the 
nearest point of the International boundary with Canada, south and west 
along the International boundary to the point of beginning.
    Hudson Valley Goose Area: That area of New York State lying within 
a continuous line extending from Route 4 at the New York-Vermont 
boundary, west and south along Route 4 to Route 149 at Fort Ann, west 
on Route 149 to Route 9, south along Route 9 to Interstate Route 87 (at 
Exit 20 in Glens Falls), south along Route 87 to Route 29, west along 
Route 29 to Route 147 at Kimball Corners, south along Route 147 to 
Schenectady County Route 40 (West Glenville Road), west along Route 40 
to Touareuna Road, south along Touareuna Road to Schenectady County 
Route 59, south along Route 59 to State Route 5, east along Route 5 to 
the Lock 9 bridge, southwest along the Lock 9 bridge to Route 5S, 
southeast along Route 5S to Schenectady County Route 58, southwest 
along Route 58 to the NYS Thruway, south along the Thruway to Route 7, 
southwest along Route 7 to Schenectady County Route 103, south along 
Route 103 to Route 406, east along Route 406 to Schenectady County 
Route 99 (Windy Hill Road), south along Route 99 to Dunnsville Road, 
south along Dunnsville Road to Route 397, southwest along Route 397 to 
Route 146 at Altamont, southeast along Route 146 to Main Street in 
Altamont, west along Main Street to Route 156, southeast along Route 
156 to Albany County Route 307, southeast along Route 307 to Route 85A, 
southwest along Route 85A to Route 85, south along Route 85 to Route 
443, southeast along Route 443 to Albany County Route 301 at 
Clarksville, southeast along Route 301 to Route 32, south along Route 
32 to Route 23 at Cairo, west along Route 23 to Joseph Chadderdon Road, 
southeast along Joseph Chadderdon Road to Hearts Content Road (Greene 
County Route 31), southeast along Route 31 to Route 32, south along 
Route 32 to Greene County Route 23A, east along Route 23A to Interstate 
Route 87 (the NYS Thruway), south along Route 87 to Route 28 (Exit 19) 
near Kingston, northwest on Route 28 to Route 209, southwest on Route 
209 to the New York-Pennsylvania boundary, southeast along the New 
York-Pennsylvania boundary to the New York-New Jersey boundary, 
southeast along the New York-New Jersey boundary to Route 210 near 
Greenwood Lake, northeast along Route 210 to Orange County Route 5, 
northeast along Orange County Route 5 to Route 105 in the Village of 
Monroe, east and north along Route 105 to Route 32, northeast along 
Route 32 to Orange County Route 107 (Quaker Avenue), east along Route 
107 to Route 9W, north along Route 9W to the south bank of Moodna 
Creek, southeast along the south bank of Moodna Creek to the New 
Windsor-Cornwall town boundary, northeast along the New Windsor-
Cornwall town boundary to the Orange-Dutchess County boundary (middle 
of the Hudson River), north along the county boundary to Interstate 
Route 84, east along Route 84 to the Dutchess-Putnam County boundary, 
east along the county boundary to the New York-Connecticut boundary, 
north along the New York-Connecticut boundary to the New York-
Massachusetts boundary, north along the New York-Massachusetts boundary 
to the New York-Vermont boundary, north to the point of beginning.
    Eastern Long Island Goose Area (NAP High Harvest Area): That area 
of Suffolk County lying east of a continuous line extending due south 
from the New York-Connecticut boundary to the northernmost end of 
Roanoke Avenue in the Town of Riverhead; then south on Roanoke Avenue 
(which becomes County Route 73) to State Route 25; then west on Route 
25 to Peconic Avenue; then south on Peconic Avenue to County Route (CR) 
104 (Riverleigh Avenue); then south on CR 104 to CR 31 (Old Riverhead 
Road); then south on CR 31 to Oak Street; then south on Oak Street to 
Potunk Lane; then west on Stevens Lane; then south on Jessup Avenue (in 
Westhampton Beach) to Dune Road (CR 89); then due south to 
international waters.
    Western Long Island Goose Area (RP Area): That area of Westchester 
County and its tidal waters southeast of Interstate Route 95 and that 
area of Nassau and Suffolk Counties lying west of a continuous line 
extending due south from the New York-Connecticut boundary to the 
northernmost end of the Sunken Meadow State Parkway; then south on the 
Sunken Meadow Parkway to the Sagtikos State Parkway; then south on the 
Sagtikos Parkway to the Robert Moses State Parkway; then south on the 
Robert Moses Parkway to its southernmost end; then due south to 
international waters.
    Central Long Island Goose Area (NAP Low Harvest Area): That area of 
Suffolk County lying between the Western and Eastern Long Island Goose 
Areas, as defined above.
    South Goose Area: The remainder of New York State, excluding New 
York City.
    Special Late Canada Goose Area: That area of the Central Long 
Island Goose Area lying north of State Route 25A and west of a 
continuous line extending northward from State Route 25A along Randall 
Road (near Shoreham) to North Country Road, then east to Sound Road and 
then north to Long Island Sound and then due north to the New York-
Connecticut boundary.
North Carolina
    SJBP Hunt Zone: Includes the following counties or portions of 
counties: Anson, Cabarrus, Chatham, Davidson, Durham, Halifax (that 
portion east of NC 903), Montgomery (that portion west of NC 109), 
Northampton, Richmond (that portion south of NC 73 and west of U.S. 220 
and north of U.S. 74), Rowan, Stanly, Union, and Wake.
    RP Hunt Zone: Includes the following counties or portions of 
counties: Alamance, Alleghany, Alexander, Ashe, Avery, Beaufort, Bertie 
(that portion south and west of a line formed by NC 45 at the 
Washington Co. line to U.S. 17 in Midway, U.S. 17 in Midway to U.S. 13 
in Windsor, U.S. 13 in Windsor to the Hertford Co. line), Bladen, 
Brunswick, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Carteret, Caswell, Catawba, 
Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Davie, Duplin, 
Edgecombe, Forsyth, Franklin, Gaston, Gates, Graham, Granville, Greene, 
Guilford, Halifax (that portion west of NC 903), Harnett, Haywood, 
Henderson, Hertford, Hoke, Iredell, Jackson, Johnston, Jones, Lee, 
Lenoir, Lincoln, McDowell, Macon, Madison, Martin, Mecklenburg, 
Mitchell, Montgomery (that portion that is east of NC 109), Moore, 
Nash, New Hanover, Onslow, Orange, Pamlico, Pender, Person, Pitt, Polk, 
Randolph, Richmond (all of the county with exception of that portion 
that is south of NC 73 and west of U.S. 220 and north of U.S. 74), 
Robeson, Rockingham, Rutherford, Sampson, Scotland, Stokes, Surry, 
Swain, Transylvania, Vance, Warren, Watauga, Wayne, Wilkes,

[[Page 51145]]

Wilson, Yadkin, and Yancey. Northeast Hunt Unit: Includes the following 
counties or portions of counties: Bertie (that portion north and east 
of a line formed by NC 45 at the Washington County line to U.S. 17 in 
Midway, U.S. 17 in Midway to U.S. 13 in Windsor, U.S. 13 in Windsor to 
the Hertford Co. line), Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Hyde, 
Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell, and Washington.
Pennsylvania
    Resident Canada Goose Zone: All of Pennsylvania except for SJBP 
Zone and the area east of route SR 97 from the Maryland State Line to 
the intersection of SR 194, east of SR 194 to intersection of U.S. 
Route 30, south of U.S. Route 30 to SR 441, east of SR 441 to SR 743, 
east of SR 743 to intersection of I-81, east of I-81 to intersection of 
I-80, and south of I-80 to the New Jersey State line.
    SJBP Zone: The area north of I-80 and west of I-79 including in the 
city of Erie west of Bay Front Parkway to and including the Lake Erie 
Duck zone (Lake Erie, Presque Isle, and the area within 150 yards of 
the Lake Erie Shoreline).
    AP Zone: The area east of route SR 97 from Maryland State Line to 
the intersection of SR 194, east of SR 194 to intersection of U.S. 
Route 30, south of U.S. Route 30 to SR 441, east of SR 441 to SR 743, 
east of SR 743 to intersection of I-81, east of I-81 to intersection of 
I-80, south of I-80 to New Jersey State line.
Rhode Island
    Special Area for Canada Geese: Kent and Providence Counties and 
portions of the towns of Exeter and North Kingston within Washington 
County (see State regulations for detailed descriptions).
South Carolina
    Canada Goose Area: Statewide except for Clarendon County, that 
portion of Orangeburg County north of SC Highway 6, and that portion of 
Berkeley County north of SC Highway 45 from the Orangeburg County line 
to the junction of SC Highway 45 and State Road S-8-31 and that portion 
west of the Santee Dam.
Vermont
    Same zones as for ducks.
Virginia
    AP Zone: The area east and south of the following line--the 
Stafford County line from the Potomac River west to Interstate 95 at 
Fredericksburg, then south along Interstate 95 to Petersburg, then 
Route 460 (SE) to City of Suffolk, then south along Route 32 to the 
North Carolina line.
    SJBP Zone: The area to the west of the AP Zone boundary and east of 
the following line: the ``Blue Ridge'' (mountain spine) at the West 
Virginia-Virginia Border (Loudoun County-Clarke County line) south to 
Interstate 64 (the Blue Ridge line follows county borders along the 
western edge of Loudoun-Fauquier-Rappahannock-Madison-Greene-Albemarle 
and into Nelson Counties), then east along Interstate Rt. 64 to Route 
15, then south along Rt. 15 to the North Carolina line.
    RP Zone: The remainder of the State west of the SJBP Zone.
    Back Bay Area: The waters of Back Bay and its tributaries and the 
marshes adjacent thereto, and on the land and marshes between Back Bay 
and the Atlantic Ocean from Sandbridge to the North Carolina line, and 
on and along the shore of North Landing River and the marshes adjacent 
thereto, and on and along the shores of Binson Inlet Lake (formerly 
known as Lake Tecumseh) and Red Wing Lake and the marshes adjacent 
thereto.
West Virginia
    Same zones as for ducks.

Mississippi Flyway

Alabama
    Same zones as for ducks, but in addition:
    SJBP Zone: That portion of Morgan County east of U.S. Highway 31, 
north of State Highway 36, and west of U.S. 231; that portion of 
Limestone County south of U.S. 72; and that portion of Madison County 
south of Swancott Road and west of Triana Road.
Arkansas
    Northwest Zone: Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Conway, Crawford, 
Faulkner, Franklin, Johnson, Logan, Madison, Marion, Newton, Perry, 
Pope, Pulaski, Searcy, Sebastian, Scott, Van Buren, Washington, and 
Yell Counties.
Illinois
    Same zones as for ducks.
Indiana
    Same zones as for ducks but in addition:

Special Canada Goose Seasons

    Indiana Late Canada Goose Season Zone: That part of the state 
encompassed by the following counties: Steuben, Lagrange, Elkhart, St. 
Joseph, La Porte, Starke, Marshall, Kosciusko, Noble, De Kalb, Allen, 
Whitley, Huntington, Wells, Adams, Boone, Hamilton, Madison, Hendricks, 
Marion, Hancock, Morgan, Johnson, Shelby, Vermillion, Parke, Vigo, 
Clay, Sullivan, and Greene.

Iowa

    North Zone: That portion of the State north of U.S. Highway 20.
    South Zone: The remainder of Iowa.

Kentucky

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

Michigan

    (a) North Zone--Same as North duck zone.
    (b) Middle Zone--Same as Middle duck zone.
    (c) South Zone--Same as South duck zone
    Tuscola/Huron Goose Management Unit (GMU): Those portions of 
Tuscola and Huron Counties bounded on the south by Michigan Highway 138 
and Bay City Road, on the east by Colwood and Bay Port Roads, on the 
north by Kilmanagh Road and a line extending directly west off the end 
of Kilmanagh Road into Saginaw Bay to the west boundary, and on the 
west by the Tuscola-Bay County line and a line extending directly north 
off the end of the Tuscola-Bay County line into Saginaw Bay to the 
north boundary.
    Allegan County GMU: That area encompassed by a line beginning at 
the junction of 136th Avenue and Interstate Highway 196 in Lake Town 
Township

[[Page 51146]]

and extending easterly along 136th Avenue to Michigan Highway 40, 
southerly along Michigan 40 through the city of Allegan to 108th Avenue 
in Trowbridge Township, westerly along 108th Avenue to 46th Street, 
northerly ( mile along 46th Street to 109th Avenue, westerly along 
109th Avenue to I-196 in Casco Township, then northerly along I-196 to 
the point of beginning.
    Saginaw County GMU: That portion of Saginaw County bounded by 
Michigan Highway 46 on the north; Michigan 52 on the west; Michigan 57 
on the south; and Michigan 13 on the east.
    Muskegon Wastewater GMU: That portion of Muskegon County within the 
boundaries of the Muskegon County wastewater system, east of the 
Muskegon State Game Area, in sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 17, 18, 19, 20, 29, 
30, and 32, T10N R14W, and sections 1, 2, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 24, and 
25, T10N R15W, as posted.
    Special Canada Goose Seasons:
    Southern Michigan Late Season Canada Goose Zone: Same as the South 
Duck Zone excluding Tuscola/Huron Goose Management Unit (GMU), Allegan 
County GMU, Saginaw County GMU, and Muskegon Wastewater GMU.

Minnesota

    West Zone: That portion of the State encompassed by a line 
beginning at the junction of State Trunk Highway (STH) 60 and the Iowa 
State line, then north and east along STH 60 to U.S. Highway 71, north 
along U.S. 71 to Interstate Highway 94, then north and west along I-94 
to the North Dakota State line.
    West Central Zone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at the 
intersection of State Trunk Highway (STH) 29 and U.S. Highway 212 and 
extending west along U.S. 212 to U.S. 59, south along U.S. 59 to STH 
67, west along STH 67 to U.S. 75, north along U.S. 75 to County State 
Aid Highway (CSAH) 30 in Lac qui Parle County, west along CSAH 30 to 
the western boundary of the State, north along the western boundary of 
the State to a point due south of the intersection of STH 7 and CSAH 7 
in Big Stone County, and continuing due north to said intersection, 
then north along CSAH 7 to CSAH 6 in Big Stone County, east along CSAH 
6 to CSAH 21 in Big Stone County, south along CSAH 21 to CSAH 10 in Big 
Stone County, east along CSAH 10 to CSAH 22 in Swift County, east along 
CSAH 22 to CSAH 5 in Swift County, south along CSAH 5 to U.S. 12, east 
along U.S. 12 to CSAH 17 in Swift County, south along CSAH 17 to CSAH 9 
in Chippewa County, south along CSAH 9 to STH 40, east along STH 40 to 
STH 29, then south along STH 29 to the point of beginning.
    Special Canada Goose Seasons:
    Southeast Zone: That part of the State within the following 
described boundaries: beginning at the intersection of U.S. Highway 52 
and the south boundary of the Twin Cities Metro Canada Goose Zone; 
thence along the U.S. Highway 52 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 57; 
thence along STH 57 to the municipal boundary of Kasson; thence along 
the municipal boundary of Kasson County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 13, 
Dodge County; thence along CSAH 13 to STH 30; thence along STH 30 to 
U.S. Highway 63; thence along U.S. Highway 63 to the south boundary of 
the State; thence along the south and east boundaries of the State to 
the south boundary of the Twin Cities Metro Canada Goose Zone; thence 
along said boundary to the point of beginning.

Missouri

    Same zones as for ducks but in addition:

Middle Zone

    Southeast Zone: That portion of the State encompassed by a line 
beginning at the intersection of Missouri Highway (MO) 34 and 
Interstate 55 and extending south along I-55 to U.S. Highway 62, west 
along U.S. 62 to MO 53, north along MO 53 to MO 51, north along MO 51 
to U.S. 60, west along U.S. 60 to MO 21, north along MO 21 to MO 72, 
east along MO 72 to MO 34, then east along MO 34 to I-55.

Ohio

    Same zones as for ducks but in addition:

North Zone

    Lake Erie Zone: That portion of the North Duck Zone encompassed by 
and north and east of a line beginning in Lucas County at the Michigan 
State line on I-75, and extending south along I-75 to I-280, south 
along I-280 to I-80, and east along I-80 to the Pennsylvania State line 
in Trumbull County.

Tennessee

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

Wisconsin

    Same zones as for ducks but in addition:
    Horicon Zone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at the 
intersection of State Highway 21 and the Fox River in Winnebago County 
and extending westerly along State 21 to the west boundary of Winnebago 
County, southerly along the west boundary of Winnebago County to the 
north boundary of Green Lake County, westerly along the north 
boundaries of Green Lake and Marquette Counties to State 22, southerly 
along State 22 to State 33, westerly along State 33 to Interstate 
Highway 39, southerly along Interstate Highway 39 to Interstate Highway 
90/94, southerly along I-90/94 to State 60, easterly along State 60 to 
State 83, northerly along State 83 to State 175, northerly along State 
175 to State 33, easterly along State 33 to U.S. Highway 45, northerly 
along U.S. 45 to the east shore of the Fond Du Lac River, northerly 
along the east shore of the Fond Du Lac River to Lake Winnebago, 
northerly along the western shoreline of Lake Winnebago to the Fox 
River, then westerly along the Fox River to State 21.
    Collins Zone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at the 
intersection of Hilltop Road and Collins Marsh Road in Manitowoc County 
and extending westerly along Hilltop Road to Humpty Dumpty Road, 
southerly along Humpty Dumpty Road to Poplar Grove Road, easterly along 
Poplar Grove Road to Rockea Road, southerly along Rockea Road to County 
Highway JJ, southeasterly along County JJ to Collins Road, southerly 
along Collins Road to the Manitowoc River, southeasterly along the 
Manitowoc River to Quarry Road, northerly along Quarry Road to 
Einberger Road, northerly along Einberger Road to Moschel Road, 
westerly along Moschel Road to Collins Marsh Road, northerly along 
Collins Marsh Road to Hilltop Road.
    Exterior Zone: That portion of the State not included in the 
Horicon or Collins Zones.
    Mississippi River Subzone: That area encompassed by a line 
beginning at the intersection of the Burlington Northern & Santa Fe 
Railway and the Illinois State line in Grant County and extending 
northerly along the Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway to the city 
limit of Prescott in Pierce County, then west along the Prescott city 
limit to the Minnesota State line.
    Rock Prairie Subzone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at 
the

[[Page 51147]]

intersection of the Illinois State line and Interstate Highway 90 and 
extending north along I-90 to County Highway A, east along County A to 
U.S. Highway 12, southeast along U.S. 12 to State Highway 50, west 
along State 50 to State 120, then south along 120 to the Illinois State 
line.
    Brown County Subzone: That area encompassed by a line beginning at 
the intersection of the Fox River with Green Bay in Brown County and 
extending southerly along the Fox River to State Highway 29, 
northwesterly along State 29 to the Brown County line, south, east, and 
north along the Brown County line to Green Bay, due west to the 
midpoint of the Green Bay Ship Channel, then southwesterly along the 
Green Bay Ship Channel to the Fox River.

Central Flyway

Colorado (Central Flyway Portion)

    Northern Front Range Area: All areas in Boulder, Larimer and Weld 
Counties from the Continental Divide east along the Wyoming border to 
U.S. 85, south on U.S. 85 to the Adams County line, and all lands in 
Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Clear Creek, Denver, Douglas, Gilpin, and 
Jefferson Counties.
    North Park Area: Jackson County.
    South Park and San Luis Valley Area: All of Alamosa, Chaffee, 
Conejos, Costilla, Custer, Fremont, Lake, Park, Rio Grande and Teller 
Counties, and those portions of Saguache, Mineral and Hinsdale Counties 
east of the Continental Divide.
    Remainder: Remainder of the Central Flyway portion of Colorado.
    Eastern Colorado Late Light Goose Area: That portion of the State 
east of Interstate Highway 25.

Nebraska

Dark Geese

    Niobrara Unit: That area contained within and bounded by the 
intersection of the South Dakota State line and the Cherry County line, 
south along the Cherry County line to the Niobrara River, east to the 
Norden Road, south on the Norden Road to U.S. Hwy 20, east along U.S. 
Hwy 20 to NE Hwy 137, north along NE Hwy 137 to the Niobrara River, 
east along the Niobrara River to the Boyd County line, north along the 
Boyd County line to the South Dakota State line. Where the Niobrara 
River forms the boundary, both banks of the river are included in the 
Niobrara Unit.
    East Unit: That area north and east of U.S. 281 at the Kansas-
Nebraska State line, north to Giltner Road (near Doniphan), east to NE 
14, north to NE 66, east to U.S. 81, north to NE 22, west to NE 14, 
north to NE 91, east to U.S. 275, south to U.S. 77, south to NE 91, 
east to U.S. 30, east to Nebraska-Iowa State line.
    Platte River Unit: That area south and west of U.S. 281 at the 
Kansas-Nebraska State line, north to Giltner Road (near Doniphan), east 
to NE 14, north to NE 66, east to U.S. 81, north to NE 22, west to NE 
14, north to NE 91, west along NE 91 to NE 11, north to the Holt County 
line, west along the northern border of Garfield, Loup, Blaine and 
Thomas Counties to the Hooker County line, south along the Thomas-
Hooker County lines to the McPherson County line, east along the south 
border of Thomas County to the western line of Custer County, south 
along the Custer-Logan County line to NE 92, west to U.S. 83, north to 
NE 92, west to NE 61, north along NE 61 to NE 2, west along NE 2 to the 
corner formed by Garden-Grant-Sheridan Counties, west along the north 
border of Garden, Morrill, and Scotts Bluff Counties to the 
intersection of the Interstate Canal, west to Wyoming State line.
    North-Central Unit: The remainder of the State.

Light Geese

    Rainwater Basin Light Goose Area (West): The area bounded by the 
junction of U.S. 283 and U.S. 30 at Lexington, east on U.S. 30 to U.S. 
281, south on U.S. 281 to NE 4, west on NE 4 to U.S. 34, continue west 
on U.S. 34 to U.S. 283, then north on U.S. 283 to the beginning.
    Rainwater Basin Light Goose Area (East): The area bounded by the 
junction of U.S. 281 and U.S. 30 at Grand Island, north and east on 
U.S. 30 to NE 14, south to NE 66, east to U.S. 81, north to NE 92, east 
on NE 92 to NE 15, south on NE 15 to NE 4, west on NE 4 to U.S. 281, 
north on U.S. 281 to the beginning.
    Remainder of State: The remainder portion of Nebraska.

New Mexico (Central Flyway Portion)

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

North Dakota

    Missouri River Canada Goose Zone: The area within and bounded by a 
line starting where ND Hwy 6 crosses the South Dakota border; thence 
north on ND Hwy 6 to I-94; thence west on I-94 to ND Hwy 49; thence 
north on ND Hwy 49 to ND Hwy 200; thence north on Mercer County Rd. 21 
to the section line between sections 8 and 9 (T146N-R87W); thence north 
on that section line to the southern shoreline to Lake Sakakawea; 
thence east along the southern shoreline (including Mallard Island) of 
Lake Sakakawea to U.S. Hwy 83; thence south on U.S. Hwy 83 to ND Hwy 
200; thence east on ND Hwy 200 to ND Hwy 41; thence south on ND Hwy 41 
to U.S. Hwy 83; thence south on U.S. Hwy 83 to I-94; thence east on I-
94 to U.S. Hwy 83; thence south on U.S. Hwy 83 to the South Dakota 
border; thence west along the South Dakota border to ND Hwy 6.
    Rest of State: Remainder of North Dakota.

South Dakota

Canada Geese
    Unit 1: Remainder of South Dakota.
    Unit 2: Bon Homme, Brule, Buffalo, Charles Mix, Custer east of SD 
Hwy 79 and south of French Creek, Dewey south of U.S. Hwy 212, Fall 
River east of SD Hwy 71 and U.S. Hwy 385, Gregory, Hughes, Hyde south 
of U.S. Hwy 14, Lyman, Potter west of U.S. Hwy 83, Stanley, and Sully 
Counties.
    Unit 3: Bennett County.

Texas

    Northeast Goose Zone: That portion of Texas lying east and north of 
a line beginning at the Texas-Oklahoma border at U.S. 81, then 
continuing south to Bowie and then southeasterly along U.S. 81 and U.S. 
287 to I-35W and I-35 to the juncture with I-10 in San Antonio, then 
east on I-10 to the Texas-Louisiana border.
    Southeast Goose Zone: That portion of Texas lying east and south of 
a line beginning at the International Toll Bridge at Laredo, then 
continuing north following I-35 to the juncture with I-10 in San 
Antonio, then easterly along I-10 to the Texas-Louisiana border.
    West Goose Zone: The remainder of the State.

Wyoming (Central Flyway Portion)

Dark Geese
    Area 1: Converse, Hot Springs, Natrona, and Washakie Counties, and 
the portion of Park County east of the Shoshone National Forest 
boundary and south of a line beginning where the Shoshone National 
Forest boundary crosses Park County Road 8VC, easterly along said road 
to Park County Road 1AB, easterly along said road to Wyoming Highway 
120, northerly along said highway to Wyoming Highway 294, southeasterly 
along said highway to Lane 9, easterly along said lane to the town of 
Powel and Wyoming Highway 14A, easterly along said highway to the Park 
County and Big Horn County Line.

[[Page 51148]]

    Area 2: Albany, Campbell, Crook, Johnson, Laramie, Niobrara, 
Sheridan, and Weston Counties, and that portion of Carbon County east 
of the Continental Divide; that portion of Park County west of the 
Shoshone National Forest boundary, and that portion of Park County 
north of a line beginning where the Shoshone National Forest boundary 
crosses Park County Road 8VC, easterly along said road to Park County 
Road 1AB, easterly along said road to Wyoming Highway 120, northerly 
along said highway to Wyoming Highway 294, southeasterly along said 
highway to Lane 9, easterly along said lane to the town of Powel and 
Wyoming Highway 14A, easterly along said highway to the Park County and 
Big Horn County Line.
    Area 3: Goshen and Platte Counties.
    Area 4: Big Horn and Fremont Counties.

Pacific Flyway

Arizona

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

California

    Northeastern Zone: In that portion of California lying east and 
north of a line beginning at the intersection of Interstate 5 with the 
California-Oregon line; south along Interstate 5 to its junction with 
Walters Lane south of the town of Yreka; west along Walters Lane to its 
junction with Easy Street; south along Easy Street to the junction with 
Old Highway 99; south along Old Highway 99 to the point of intersection 
with Interstate 5 north of the town of Weed; south along Interstate 5 
to its junction with Highway 89; east and south along Highway 89 to 
main street Greenville; north and east to its junction with North 
Valley Road; south to its junction of Diamond Mountain Road; north and 
east to its junction with North Arm Road; south and west to the 
junction of North Valley Road; south to the junction with Arlington 
Road (A22); west to the junction of Highway 89; south and west to the 
junction of Highway 70; east on Highway 70 to Highway 395; south and 
east on Highway 395 to the point of intersection with the California-
Nevada State line; north along the California-Nevada State line to the 
junction of the California-Nevada-Oregon State lines west along the 
California-Oregon State line to the point of origin.
    Colorado River Zone: Those portions of San Bernardino, Riverside, 
and Imperial Counties east of a line extending from the Nevada border 
south along U.S. 95 to Vidal Junction; south on a road known as 
``Aqueduct Road'' in San Bernardino County through the town of Rice to 
the San Bernardino-Riverside County line; south on a road known in 
Riverside County as the ``Desert Center to Rice Road'' to the town of 
Desert Center; east 31 miles on I-10 to the Wiley Well Road; south on 
this road to Wiley Well; southeast along the Army-Milpitas Road to the 
Blythe, Brawley, Davis Lake intersections; south on the Blythe-Brawley 
paved road to the Ogilby and Tumco Mine Road; south on this road to 
U.S. 80; east 7 miles on U.S. 80 to the Andrade-Algodones Road; south 
on this paved road to the Mexican border at Algodones, Mexico.
    Southern Zone: That portion of southern California (but excluding 
the Colorado River Zone) south and east of a line extending from the 
Pacific Ocean east along the Santa Maria River to CA 166 near the City 
of Santa Maria; east on CA 166 to CA 99; south on CA 99 to the crest of 
the Tehachapi Mountains at Tejon Pass; east and north along the crest 
of the Tehachapi Mountains to CA 178 at Walker Pass; east on CA 178 to 
U.S. 395 at the town of Inyokern; south on U.S. 395 to CA 58; east on 
CA 58 to I-15; east on I-15 to CA 127; north on CA 127 to the Nevada 
border.
    Imperial County Special Management Area: The area bounded by a line 
beginning at Highway 86 and the Navy Test Base Road; south on Highway 
86 to the town of Westmoreland; continue through the town of 
Westmoreland to Route S26; east on Route S26 to Highway 115; north on 
Highway 115 to Weist Rd.; north on Weist Rd. to Flowing Wells Rd.; 
northeast on Flowing Wells Rd. to the Coachella Canal; northwest on the 
Coachella Canal to Drop 18; a straight line from Drop 18 to Frink Rd.; 
south on Frink Rd. to Highway 111; north on Highway 111 to Niland 
Marina Rd.; southwest on Niland Marina Rd. to the old Imperial County 
boat ramp and the water line of the Salton Sea; from the water line of 
the Salton Sea, a straight line across the Salton Sea to the Salinity 
Control Research Facility and the Navy Test Base Road; southwest on the 
Navy Test Base Road to the point of beginning.
    Balance-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of California not included 
in the Northeastern, Southern, and the Colorado River Zones.
    North Coast Special Management Area: The Counties of Del Norte and 
Humboldt.
    Sacramento Valley Special Management Area (West): That area bounded 
by a line beginning at Willows south on I-5 to Hahn Road; easterly on 
Hahn Road and the Grimes-Arbuckle Road to Grimes; northerly on CA 45 to 
the junction with CA 162; northerly on CA 45/162 to Glenn; and westerly 
on CA 162 to the point of beginning in Willows.

Colorado (Pacific Flyway Portion)

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

Idaho

    Zone 1: Adams, Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Clearwater, Idaho, 
Kootenai, Latah, Lewis, Nez Perce, Shoshone, and Valley Counties.
    Zone 2: The Counties of Ada; Boise; Canyon; those portions of 
Elmore north and east of I-84, and south and west of I-84, west of ID 
51, except the Camas Creek drainage; Gem; Owyhee west of ID 51; 
Payette; and Washington.
    Zone 3: The Counties of Cassia except the Minidoka National 
Wildlife Refuge; those portions of Elmore south of I-84 east of ID 51, 
and within the Camas Creek drainage; Gooding; Jerome; Lincoln; 
Minidoka; Owyhee east of ID 51; and Twin Falls.
    Zone 4: The Counties of Bear Lake; Bingham within the Blackfoot 
Reservoir drainage; Blaine; Camas; Bonneville; Butte; Caribou except 
the Fort Hall Indian Reservation; Cassia within the Minidoka National 
Wildlife Refuge; Clark; Custer; Franklin; Fremont; Jefferson; Lemhi; 
Madison; Oneida; and Teton.
    Zone 5: All lands and waters within the Fort Hall Indian 
Reservation, including private inholdings; Bannock County; Bingham 
County, except that portion within the Blackfoot Reservoir drainage; 
and Power County.

Montana (Pacific Flyway Portion)

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

Nevada

    Lincoln Clark County Zone: All of Lincoln and Clark Counties.

[[Page 51149]]

    Remainder-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of Nevada.

New Mexico (Pacific Flyway Portion)

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

Oregon

    Southwest Zone: Those portions of Douglas, Coos, and Curry Counties 
east of Highway 101, and Josephine and Jackson Counties.
    South Coast Zone: Those portions of Douglas, Coos, and Curry 
Counties west of Highway 101.
    Northwest Special Permit Zone: That portion of western Oregon west 
and north of a line running south from the Columbia River in Portland 
along I-5 to OR 22 at Salem; then east on OR 22 to the Stayton Cutoff; 
then south on the Stayton Cutoff to Stayton and due south to the 
Santiam River; then west along the north shore of the Santiam River to 
I-5; then south on I-5 to OR 126 at Eugene; then west on OR 126 to 
Greenhill Road; then south on Greenhill Road to Crow Road; then west on 
Crow Road to Territorial Hwy; then west on Territorial Hwy to OR 126; 
then west on OR 126 to Milepost 19, north to the intersection of the 
Benton and Lincoln County line, north along the western boundary of 
Benton and Polk Counties to the southern boundary of Tillamook County, 
west along the Tillamook County boundary to the Pacific Coast.
    Lower Columbia/N. Willamette Valley Management Area: Those portions 
of Clatsop, Columbia, Multnomah, and Washington Counties within the 
Northwest Special Permit Zone.
    Tillamook County Management Area: All of Tillamook County is open 
to goose hunting except for the following area--beginning in Cloverdale 
at Hwy 101, west on Old Woods Rd to Sand Lake Rd at Woods, north on 
Sand Lake Rd to the intersection with McPhillips Dr, due west (~200 
yards) from the intersection to the Pacific coastline, south on the 
Pacific coastline to Neskowin Creek, east along the north shores of 
Neskowin Creek and then Hawk Creek to Salem Ave, east on Salem Ave in 
Neskowin to Hawk Ave, east on Hawk Ave to Hwy 101, north on Hwy 101 at 
Cloverdale, point of beginning.
    Northwest Zone: Those portions of Clackamas, Lane, Linn, Marion, 
Multnomah, and Washington Counties outside of the Northwest Special 
Permit Zone and all of Lincoln County.
    Eastern Zone: Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam, Morrow, 
Umatilla, Deschutes, Jefferson, Crook, Wheeler, Grant, Baker, Union, 
and Wallowa Counties.
    Harney, Lake, and Malheur County Zone: All of Harney, Lake, and 
Malheur Counties.
    Klamath County Zone: All of Klamath County.

Utah

    Northern Utah Zone: All of Cache and Rich Counties, and that 
portion of Box Elder County beginning at I-15 and the Weber-Box Elder 
County line; east and north along this line to the Weber-Cache County 
line; east along this line to the Cache-Rich County line; east and 
south along the Rich County line to the Utah-Wyoming State line; north 
along this line to the Utah-Idaho State line; west on this line to 
Stone, Idaho-Snowville, Utah road; southwest on this road to Locomotive 
Springs Wildlife Management Area; east on the county road, past 
Monument Point and across Salt Wells Flat, to the intersection with 
Promontory Road; south on Promontory Road to a point directly west of 
the northwest corner of the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge boundary; 
east along an imaginary line to the northwest corner of the Refuge 
boundary; south and east along the Refuge boundary to the southeast 
corner of the boundary; northeast along the boundary to the Perry 
access road; east on the Perry access road to I-15; south on I-15 to 
the Weber-Box Elder County line.
    Remainder-of-the-State Zone: The remainder of Utah.

Washington

    Area 1: Skagit, Island, and Snohomish Counties.
    Area 2A (SW Quota Zone): Clark County, except portions south of the 
Washougal River; Cowlitz and Wahkiakum Counties.
    Area 2B (SW Quota Zone): Pacific County.
    Area 3: All areas west of the Pacific Crest Trail and west of the 
Big White Salmon River that are not included in Areas 1, 2A, and 2B.
    Area 4: Adams, Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Franklin, Grant, Kittitas, 
Lincoln, Okanogan, Spokane, and Walla Walla Counties.
    Area 5: All areas east of the Pacific Crest Trail and east of the 
Big White Salmon River that are not included in Area 4.

Brant

Pacific Flyway

California
    North Coast Zone: Del Norte, Humboldt and Mendocino Counties.
    South Coast Zone: Balance of the State.
Washington
    Puget Sound Zone: Skagit County.
    Coastal Zone: Pacific County.

Swans

Central Flyway

    South Dakota: Aurora, Beadle, Brookings, Brown, Brule, Buffalo, 
Campbell, Clark, Codington, Davison, Deuel, Day, Edmunds, Faulk, Grant, 
Hamlin, Hand, Hanson, Hughes, Hyde, Jerauld, Kingsbury, Lake, Marshall, 
McCook, McPherson, Miner, Minnehaha, Moody, Potter, Roberts, Sanborn, 
Spink, Sully, and Walworth Counties.

Pacific Flyway

Montana (Pacific Flyway Portion)

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

Nevada

    Open Area: Churchill, Lyon, and Pershing Counties.

Utah

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

[FR Doc. E8-20100 Filed 8-28-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-55-P