Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2009/08/25/E9-20400/migratory-bird-hunting-final-frameworks-for-early-season-migratory-bird-hunting-regulations
Timestamp: 2015-10-09 05:07:09
Document Index: 6218201

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 20', '§20', '§20', '§20', 'art 20', 'art 20']

Federal Register | Migratory Bird Hunting; Final Frameworks for Early-Season Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations
Dates: This rule is effective on August 25, 2009.
74 FR 43008
-43024 (17 pages)
Document Number: E9-20400
Shorter URL: https://federalregister.gov/a/E9-20400 Action
This rule prescribes final early-season frameworks from which the States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands may select season dates, limits, and other options for the 2009-10 migratory bird hunting seasons. Early seasons are those that generally open prior to October 1, and include seasons in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The effect of this final rule is to facilitate the selection of hunting seasons by the States and Territories to further the annual establishment of the early-season migratory bird hunting regulations.
Migratory Bird Hunting; 2009 to 2010 Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulations 3 actions from April 10th, 2009 to May 2009
Final Regulations Frameworks for 2009-10 Early Hunting Seasons on Certain Migratory Game Birds
This rule is effective on August 25, 2009.
States and Territories should send their season selections to: Chief, Division of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, ms MBSP-4107-ARLSQ, 1849 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20240. You may inspect comments during normal business hours at the Service's office in room 4107, 4501 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia, or at www.regulations.gov.
Regulations Schedule for 2009 Back to Top
On April 10, 2009, we published in the Federal Register (74 FR 16339) a proposal to amend 50 CFR part 20. The proposal provided a background and overview of the migratory bird hunting regulations process, and dealt with the establishment of seasons, limits, and other regulations for hunting migratory game birds under §§20.101 through 20.107, 20.109, and 20.110 of subpart K. Major steps in the 2009-10 regulatory cycle relating to open public meetings and Federal Register notifications were also identified in the April 10 proposed rule. Further, we explained that all sections of subsequent documents outlining hunting frameworks and guidelines were organized under numbered headings. Subsequent documents will refer only to numbered items requiring attention. Therefore, it is important to note that we will omit those items requiring no attention, and remaining numbered items will be discontinuous and appear incomplete.
On May 27, 2009, we published in the Federal Register (74 FR 25209) a second document providing supplemental proposals for early- and late-season migratory bird hunting regulations. The May 27 supplement also provided detailed information on the 2009-10 regulatory schedule and announced the Service Migratory Bird Regulations Committee (SRC) and Flyway Council meetings.
On June 24 and 25, 2009, we held open meetings with the Flyway Council Consultants at which the participants reviewed information on the current status of migratory shore and upland game birds and developed recommendations for the 2009-10 regulations for these species plus regulations for migratory game birds in Alaska, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, special September waterfowl seasons in designated States, special sea duck seasons in the Atlantic Flyway, and extended falconry seasons. In addition, we reviewed and discussed preliminary information on the status of waterfowl as it relates to the development and selection of the regulatory packages for the 2009-10 regular waterfowl seasons. On July 24, 2009, we published in the Federal Register (74 FR 36870) a third document specifically dealing with the proposed frameworks for early-season regulations. We will publish the proposed frameworks for late-season regulations (primarily hunting seasons that start after October 1 and most waterfowl seasons not already established) in a late August Federal Register.
This document is the fourth in a series of proposed, supplemental, and final rulemaking documents. It establishes final frameworks from which States may select season dates, shooting hours, and daily bag and possession limits for the 2009-10 season. These selections will be published in the Federal Register as amendments to §§20.101 through 20.107, and §20.109 of title 50 CFR part 20.
Review of Public Comments Back to Top
The preliminary proposed rulemaking, which appeared in the April 10 Federal Register, opened the public comment period for migratory game bird hunting regulations. We have considered all pertinent comments received. Comments are summarized below and numbered in the order used in the April 10 Federal Register. We have included only the numbered items pertaining to early-season issues for which we received comments. Consequently, the issues do not follow in successive numerical or alphabetical order. We received recommendations from all Flyway Councils. Some recommendations supported continuation of last year's frameworks. Due to the comprehensive nature of the Councils' annual review of the frameworks, we assume Council support for continuation of last year's frameworks for items for which we received no recommendation. Council recommendations for changes are summarized below.
1. Ducks Back to Top
D. Special Seasons/Species Management Back to Top
i. September Teal Seasons Back to Top
Service Response: We concur with the Atlantic Flyway Council's recommendation to increase the number of hunting days during the special September teal season from 9 consecutive hunting days to 16 consecutive hunting days in the Atlantic Flyway whenever the blue-winged teal breeding population estimate for the traditional survey area exceeds 4.7 million birds. The Mississippi and Central Flyways have had operational 16-day September teal seasons (whenever the blue-winged teal breeding population estimate for the traditional survey area exceeds 4.7 million birds) since 1998. In the Atlantic Flyway, existing 9-day September teal seasons were first implemented experimentally in 1998 and made operational in 2003. We estimate that the additional 7 hunting days will result in an increased harvest of about 7,700 blue-winged teal, or about a 10 percent increase in the Flyway's overall blue-winged teal harvest of about 75,000 (average of 75,290 since 1998). In 2007, blue-winged teal harvest in the Mississippi and Central Flyways was about 532,000 in the special September season, and more than 973,000 overall.
In providing the Atlantic Flyway this expanded opportunity for teal, we offer several notes to the Atlantic, Central, and Mississippi Flyway Councils regarding teal. First, although we agree with the analysis prepared and submitted by the Atlantic Flyway Council regarding the expected harvest of the expanded special September teal season in the Atlantic Flyway (minor impacts of less than a 1 percent increase in the overall U.S. blue-winged teal harvest and again only a 10 percent harvest increase for the Flyway), the Atlantic Flyway Council should prepare a report that evaluates pertinent teal population and harvest information after the 16-day season has been conducted for 3 years. The Atlantic Flyway's initial analysis, however, is consistent with our belief and best available science that the expanded season would not have a significant impact on teal populations and thus the Service approves these changes. Second, we note that a new assessment of the cumulative effects of all teal harvest, including harvest during special September seasons, is warranted before any further modifications of special September teal seasons. Therefore, we will not agree to any further modifications of special September teal seasons or other special September duck seasons until a thorough assessment of the harvest potential has been completed for both blue-winged and green-winged teal, as well as an assessment of the impacts of current special September seasons on these two species. We request that the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyway Councils designate representatives who will assist Service staff with the technical aspects of these assessments. Our goal is to complete this important assessment work within 3 years.
4. Canada Geese Back to Top
B. Regular Seasons Back to Top
Written Comments: The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources expressed appreciation for the Service's approval of a September 16, 2009, framework opening date for all species of geese for the regular goose seasons in Michigan and Wisconsin.
9. Sandhill Cranes Back to Top
Council Recommendations: The Mississippi, Central, and Pacific Flyway Councils recommended expanding the area open to Mid-continent Population (MCP) sandhill crane hunting in Wyoming to include Johnson and Sheridan Counties. The Central and Pacific Flyway Councils recommended using the 2009 Rocky Mountain Population (RMP) sandhill crane harvest allocation of 1,939 birds as proposed in the allocation formula using the 3-year running average.
Service Response: We agree with the Councils' recommendations on the RMP sandhill crane harvest allocation of 1,939 birds for the 2009-10 season as outlined in the RMP sandhill crane management plan's harvest allocation formula. Regarding the modification of the MCP sandhill crane hunt area in Wyoming to included portions of Johnson and Sheridan Counties, we agree. Both of these areas are within existing MCP hunt plans.
In 2007, the Pacific Flyway Council recommended, and we approved, the establishment of a limited hunt for the Lower Colorado River Valley Population (LCRVP) of sandhill cranes in Arizona (72 FR 49622). However, the population inventory on which the LCRVP hunt plan is based was not completed that year. Thus, the Arizona Game and Fish Department chose to not conduct the hunt in 2007 and sought approval from the Service again last year to begin conducting the hunt. We again approved the limited hunt (73 FR 50678). However, due to complications encountered with the proposed onset of this new season falling within ongoing efforts to open new hunting seasons on Federal wildlife refuges, the experimental limited hunt season was not opened last year. As such, the State of Arizona has requested that the next 3 years (2009-12) be designated as the new experimental season and has designated an area under State control where the experimental hunt will be conducted. Given that the LCRVP survey results indicate an increase from 1,900 birds in 1998 to 2,401 birds in 2009, and that the 3-year average of 2,981 LCRVP cranes is above the population objective of 2,500, we continue to support the establishment of the 3-year experimental framework for this hunt, conditional on successful monitoring being conducted as called for in the Flyway hunt plan for this population. Our final environmental assessment (FEA) on this new hunt can be obtained by writing Robert Trost, Pacific Flyway Representative, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Migratory Bird management, 911 NE 11th Avenue, Portland, OR 97232-4181, or it may be viewed online at http://www.regulations.gov.
16. Mourning Doves Back to Top
Written Comments: The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources supported the Councils' recommendation for a “moderate” season package for mourning doves for the 2009-10 season.
Service Response: Last year, we accepted and endorsed the interim harvest strategies for the Central, Eastern, and Western Management Units (73 FR 50678). As we stated then, the interim mourning dove harvest strategies are a step towards implementing the Mourning Dove National Strategic Harvest Plan (Plan) that was approved by all four Flyway Councils in 2003. The Plan represents a new, more informed means of decision-making for dove harvest management besides relying solely on traditional roadside counts of mourning doves as indicators of population trend. However, recognizing that a more comprehensive, national approach would take time to develop, we requested the development of interim harvest strategies, by management unit, until the elements of the Plan can be fully implemented. In 2004, each management unit submitted its respective strategy, but the strategies used different datasets and different approaches or methods. After initial submittal and review in 2006, we requested that the strategies be revised, using similar, existing datasets among the management units along with similar decision-making criteria. In January 2008, we recommended that, following approval by the respective Flyway Councils in March, the strategies be submitted in 2008 for endorsement by the Service, with implementation for the 2009-10 hunting season. Thus, based on the new interim harvest strategies and current population status, we agree with the recommended selection of the “moderate” season frameworks for doves in the Eastern, Central, and Western Management Units.
17. White-winged and White-tipped Doves Back to Top
Service Response: We agree with the Councils' recommendation to remove portions of the SWWDA area in Texas. Removal of the areas with poorer quality white-winged dove habitat from the SWWDA hunt area will allow Texas to more appropriately manage the overall dove harvest. We also agree with the Councils' recommendation to modify the daily bag limit in the SWWDA from 12 to 15 birds per day. Increasing the overall aggregate daily bag limit on doves, while maintaining the existing internal bag limit restrictions on mourning and white-tipped doves, will provide hunters more consistent and easily understood dove hunting regulations.
18. Alaska Back to Top
Service Response: This year, the annual population index of dusky Canada geese, based on the breeding pair survey on the Copper River Delta, is 6,709, a decrease from the previous year's index of 9,152. The 3-year average index is 8,682. This decline triggers implementation of further measures of protection for this population as described under Action level 2 in the management plan. These results further increase our longstanding concern for this subspecies of Canada goose. We appreciate the fact that the Pacific Flyway had planned for this possible situation when the Flyway management plan for this population was revised in 2008, and we strongly support the development and use of these cooperatively developed management plans. Therefore, we will enact the harvest management program called for in the Flyway management plan at this population level. More specifically:
(1) A mandatory State-issued permit is required to hunt Canada geese in Alaska GMU 6-C, and on Middleton, Hinchinbrook and Hawkins Islands in the Gulf of Alaska adjacent to GMU 6-C;
(2) All geese harvested from these areas must be taken to a State-operated check station where the subspecies will be determined;
(3) The season for all Canada geese will be closed if a total of 40 dusky Canada geese are harvested; and
(4) The State of Alaska will conduct an effort to educate the hunting public about the conservation concerns surrounding the dusky Canada goose in the area of Cordova, Alaska.
We recognize the work involved in crafting the amended recommendation from the Pacific Flyway Council on behalf of the State of Alaska. However, this recommendation consists of harvest management actions not addressed in the Flyway management plan, and their impact on dusky Canada goose harvest is unknown. Further, the Council's amended proposal does not establish a limit on the number of dusky Canada geese that could be taken, nor would they provide any information regarding the harvest of dusky Canada geese in the Copper River Delta area.
20. Puerto Rico Back to Top
In a notice published in the September 8, 2005, Federal Register (70 FR 53376), we announced our intent to develop a new Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the migratory bird hunting program. Public scoping meetings were held in the spring of 2006, as detailed in a March 9, 2006, Federal Register (71 FR 12216). We have prepared a scoping report summarizing the scoping comments and scoping meetings. The report is available by either writing to the address indicated under ADDRESSES or by viewing on our website at http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/.
An Economic Analysis was prepared for the 2008-2009 season. This analysis was based on data from the 2006 National Hunting and Fishing Survey, the most recent year for which data are available (see discussion in Regulatory Flexibility Act section below). This analysis estimates consumer surplus for three alternatives for duck hunting (estimates for other species are not quantified due to lack of data). The alternatives are 1) Issue restrictive regulations allowing fewer days than those issued during the 2007-2008 season, 2) Issues moderate regulations allowing more days than those in alternative 1, and 3) Issue liberal regulations identical to the regulations in the 2007-2008 season. For the 2008-2009 season, we chose alternative 3, with an estimated consumer surplus across all flyways of $205-$270 million. For the upcoming 2009-2010 season, we again considered these three alternatives and again chose alternative 3 for ducks. We made minor modifications to the season frameworks for some other species, but these do not significantly change the economic impacts of the rule, which were not quantified for other species. For these reasons, we have not conducted a new Economic Analysis, but the 2008-2009 analysis is part of the record for this rule and is available at http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/NewReportsPublications/SpecialTopics/SpecialTopics.html#HuntingRegs or at http://www.regulations.gov.
The regulations have a significant economic impact on substantial numbers of small entities under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). We analyzed the economic impacts of the annual hunting regulations on small business entities in detail as part of the 1981 cost-benefit analysis. This analysis was revised annually from 1990-95. In 1995, the Service issued a Small Entity Flexibility Analysis (Analysis), which was subsequently updated in 1996, 1998, 2004, and 2008. The primary source of information about hunter expenditures for migratory game bird hunting is the National Hunting and Fishing Survey, which is conducted at 5-year intervals. The 2008 Analysis was based on the 2006 National Hunting and Fishing Survey and the U.S. Department of Commerce's County Business Patterns, from which it was estimated that migratory bird hunters would spend approximately $1.2 billion at small businesses in 2008. Copies of the Analysis are available upon request from the address indicated under ADDRESSES or from our website at http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/NewReportsPublications/SpecialTopics/SpecialTopics.html#HuntingRegs or at http://www.regulations.gov.
In accordance with the President's memorandum of April 29, 1994, “Government-to-Government Relations with Native American Tribal Governments” (59 FR 22951), Executive Order 13175, and 512 DM 2, we have evaluated possible effects on Federally-recognized Indian tribes and have determined that there are no effects on Indian trust resources. However, in the April 10 Federal Register, we solicited proposals for special migratory bird hunting regulations for certain Tribes on Federal Indian reservations, off-reservation trust lands, and ceded lands for the 2009-10 migratory bird hunting season. The resulting proposals were contained in a separate proposed rule (74 FR 36870). By virtue of these actions, we have consulted with Tribes affected by this rule.
The rulemaking process for migratory game bird hunting must, by its nature, operate under severe time constraints. However, we intend that the public be given the greatest possible opportunity to comment. Thus, when the preliminary proposed rulemaking was published, we established what we believed were the longest periods possible for public comment. In doing this, we recognized that when the comment period closed, time would be of the essence. That is, if there were a delay in the effective date of these regulations after this final rulemaking, States would have insufficient time to select season dates and limits; to communicate those selections to us; and to establish and publicize the necessary regulations and procedures to implement their decisions. We therefore find that “good cause” exists, within the terms of 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) of the Administrative Procedure Act, and these frameworks will, therefore, take effect immediately upon publication. Therefore, under authority of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (July 3, 1918), as amended (16 U.S.C. 703-711), we prescribe final frameworks setting forth the species to be hunted, the daily bag and possession limits, the shooting hours, the season lengths, the earliest opening and latest closing season dates, and hunting areas, from which State conservation agency officials will select hunting season dates and other options. Upon receipt of season selections from these officials, we will publish a final rulemaking amending 50 CFR part 20 to reflect seasons, limits, and shooting hours for the conterminous United States for the 2009-10 season.
Final Regulations Frameworks for 2009-10 Early Hunting Seasons on Certain Migratory Game Birds Back to Top
Pursuant to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and delegated authorities, the Department of the Interior approved the following frameworks, which prescribe season lengths, bag limits, shooting hours, and outside dates within which States may select hunting seasons for certain migratory game birds between September 1, 2009, and March 10, 2010.
Flyways and Management Units Back to Top
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.
Eastern Management Unit — All States east of the Mississippi River, and Louisiana.
Central Management Unit — Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming.
Western Management Unit — Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.
Eastern Management Region — Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Central Management Region — Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin.
Waterfowl Seasons in the Atlantic Flyway Back to Top
Special September Teal Season Back to Top
Atlantic Flyway— Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.
Mississippi Flyway— Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee.
Central Flyway— Colorado (part), Kansas, Nebraska (part), New Mexico (part), Oklahoma, and Texas.
Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 16 consecutive hunting days in the Atlantic, Mississippi and Central Flyways. The daily bag limit is 4 teal.
Atlantic Flyway— One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except in Maryland, where the hours are from sunrise to sunset.
Mississippi and Central Flyways— One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except in the States of Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, and Ohio, where the hours are from sunrise to sunset.
Special September Duck Seasons Back to Top
Special Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days Back to Top
Scoter, Eider, and Long-tailed Ducks (Atlantic Flyway) Back to Top
Special Early Canada Goose Seasons Back to Top
2. A daily bag limit of 2, with season and possession limits of 4, will apply to the special season. Areas open to hunting of Canada geese in each State must be described, delineated, and designated as such in each State's hunting regulations.
Regular Goose Seasons Back to Top
Sandhill Cranes Back to Top
Common Moorhens and Purple Gallinules Back to Top
Rails Back to Top
Clapper and King Rails— In Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland, 10, singly or in the aggregate of the 2 species. In Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia, 15, singly or in the aggregate of the two species.
Sora and Virginia Rails— In the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyways and the Pacific-Flyway portions of Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming, 25 daily and 25 in possession, singly or in the aggregate of the two species. The season is closed in the remainder of the Pacific Flyway.
Common Snipe Back to Top
American Woodcock Back to Top
Band-tailed Pigeons Back to Top
Mourning Doves Back to Top
Idaho, Oregon, and Washington— Not more than 30 consecutive days, with a daily bag limit of 10 mourning doves.
Utah— Not more than 30 consecutive days, with a daily bag limit that may not exceed 10 mourning doves and white-winged doves in the aggregate.
Nevada— Not more than 30 consecutive days, with a daily bag limit of 10 mourning doves, except in Clark and Nye Counties, where the daily bag limit may not exceed 10 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate.
Arizona and California— Not more than 60 days, which may be split between two periods, September 1-15 and November 1-January 15. In Arizona, during the first segment of the season, the daily bag limit is 10 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate, of which no more than 6 may be white-winged doves. During the remainder of the season, the daily bag limit is 10 mourning doves. In California, the daily bag limit is 10 mourning doves, except in Imperial, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties, where the daily bag limit may not exceed 10 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate.
White-winged and White-tipped Doves Back to Top
Ducks— Except as noted, a basic daily bag limit of 7 and a possession limit of 21 ducks. Daily bag and possession limits in the North Zone are 10 and 30, and in the Gulf Coast Zone, they are 8 and 24. The basic limits may include no more than 1 canvasback daily and 3 in possession and may not include sea ducks.
Light Geese— A basic daily bag limit of 4 and a possession limit of 8.
Dark Geese— A basic daily bag limit of 4 and a possession limit of 8.
2. On Middleton Island in Unit 6, a special, permit-only Canada goose season may be offered. A mandatory goose identification class is required. Hunters must check in and check out. The bag limit is 1 daily and 1 in possession. The season will close if incidental harvest includes 5 dusky Canada geese. A dusky Canada goose is any dark-breasted Canada goose (Munsell 10 YR color value five or less) with a bill length between 40 and 50 millimeters. 3. In Units 6-B, 6-C and on Hinchinbrook and Hawkins Islands in Unit 6-D, a special, permit-only Canada goose season may be offered. Hunters must have all harvested geese checked and classified to subspecies. The daily bag limit is 4 daily and 8 in possession. The Canada goose season will close in all of the permit areas if the total dusky goose (as defined above) harvest reaches 40.
Brant— A daily bag limit of 2 and a possession limit of 4.
Common snipe— A daily bag limit of 8.
Sandhill cranes— Bag and possession limits of 2 and 4, respectively, in the Southeast, Gulf Coast, Kodiak, and Aleutian Zones, and Unit 17 in the Northern Zone. In the remainder of the Northern Zone (outside Unit 17), bag and possession limits of 3 and 6, respectively.
Tundra Swans— Open seasons for tundra swans may be selected subject to the following conditions:
2. All season framework dates are September 1 - October 31.
Ducks— Not to exceed 6.
Common moorhens— Not to exceed 6.
Common snipe— Not to exceed 8.
Special Falconry Regulations Back to Top
Regular Seasons: General hunting regulations, including seasons and hunting hours, apply to falconry in each State listed in 50 CFR 21.29. Regular-season bag and possession limits do not apply to falconry. The falconry bag limit is not in addition to gun limits. Area, Unit, and Zone Descriptions Back to Top
Mourning and White-winged Doves Back to Top
South Zone— Baldwin, Barbour, Coffee, Covington, Dale, Escambia, Geneva, Henry, Houston, and Mobile Counties.
North Zone— Remainder of the State.
White-winged Dove Open Areas— Imperial, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties.
Northwest Zone— The Counties of Bay, Calhoun, Escambia, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Liberty, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton, Washington, Leon (except that portion north of U.S. 27 and east of State Road 155), Jefferson (south of U.S. 27, west of State Road 59 and north of U.S. 98), and Wakulla (except that portion south of U.S. 98 and east of the St. Marks River).
South Zone— Remainder of State.
North Zone— That portion of the State north of a line extending east from the Texas border along State Highway 12 to U.S. Highway 190, east along U.S. 190 to Interstate Highway 12, east along Interstate 12 to Interstate Highway 10, then east along Interstate Highway 10 to the Mississippi border.
South Zone— The remainder of the State.
North Zone— That portion of the State north and west of a line extending west from the Alabama State line along U.S. Highway 84 to its junction with State Highway 35, then south along State Highway 35 to the Louisiana State line.
South Zone— The remainder of Mississippi.
White-winged Dove Open Areas— Clark and Nye Counties.
North Zone- That portion of the State north of a line extending east from the Texas border along U.S. Highway 62 to Interstate 44, east along Oklahoma State Highway 7 to U.S. Highway 81, then south along U.S. Highway 81 to the Texas border at the Red River.
Southwest Zone- The remainder of Oklahoma.
North Zone— That portion of the State north of a line beginning at the International Bridge south of Fort Hancock; north along FM 1088 to TX 20; west along TX 20 to TX 148; north along TX 148 to I-10 at Fort Hancock; east along I-10 to I-20; northeast along I-20 to I-30 at Fort Worth; northeast along I-30 to the Texas-Arkansas State line.
South Zone— That portion of the State south and west of a line beginning at the International Bridge south of Del Rio, proceeding east on U.S. 90 to State Loop 1604 west of San Antonio; then south, east, and north along Loop 1604 to Interstate Highway 10 east of San Antonio; then east on I-10 to Orange, Texas.
Special White-winged Dove Area in the South Zone— That portion of the State south and west of a line beginning at the International Bridge south of Del Rio, proceeding east on U.S. 90 to State Loop 1604 west of San Antonio, southeast on State Loop 1604 to Interstate Highway 35, southwest on Interstate Highway 35 to TX 44; east along TX 44 to TX 16 at Freer; south along TX 16 to FM 649 in Randado; south on FM 649 to FM 2686; east on FM 2686 to FM 1017; southeast on FM 1017 to TX 186 at Linn; east along TX 186 to the Mansfield Channel at Port Mansfield; east along the Mansfield Channel to the Gulf of Mexico.
Area with additional restrictions— Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy Counties.
Central Zone— That portion of the State lying between the North and South Zones.
North Zone— Alpine, Butte, Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lassen, Mendocino, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Tehama, and Trinity Counties.
North Zone— North of a line following U.S. 60 from the Arizona State line east to I-25 at Socorro and then south along I-25 from Socorro to the Texas State line.
South Zone— Remainder of the State.
Western Washington— The State of Washington excluding those portions lying east of the Pacific Crest Trail and east of the Big White Salmon River in Klickitat County.
Woodcock Back to Top
North Zone— That portion of the State north of NJ 70.
Special September Canada Goose Seasons Back to Top
Atlantic Flyway Back to Top
North Zone— That portion of the State north of I-95.
Eastern Unit— Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Harford, Kent, Queen Anne's, St. Mary's, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties; and that part of Anne Arundel County east of Interstate 895, Interstate 97 and Route 3; that part of Prince George's County east of Route 3 and Route 301; and that part of Charles County east of Route 301 to the Virginia State line.
Western Unit— Allegany, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Howard, Montgomery, and Washington Counties and that part of Anne Arundel County west of Interstate 895, Interstate 97 and Route 3; that part of Prince George's County west of Route 3 and Route 301; and that part of Charles County west of Route 301 to the Virginia State line.
Western Zone— That portion of the State west of a line extending south from the Vermont border on I-91 to MA 9, west on MA 9 to MA 10, south on MA 10 to U.S. 202, south on U.S. 202 to the Connecticut border.
Central Zone— That portion of the State east of the Berkshire Zone and west of a line extending south from the New Hampshire border on I-95 to U.S. 1, south on U.S. 1 to I-93, south on I-93 to MA 3, south on MA 3 to U.S. 6, west on U.S. 6 to MA 28, west on MA 28 to I-195, west to the Rhode Island border; except the waters, and the lands 150 yards inland from the high-water mark, of the Assonet River upstream to the MA 24 bridge, and the Taunton River upstream to the Center St.-Elm St. bridge will be in the Coastal Zone.
Coastal Zone— That portion of Massachusetts east and south of the Central Zone.
Lake Champlain Zone— The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that area east and north of a line extending along NY 9B from the Canadian border to U.S. 9, south along U.S. 9 to NY 22 south of Keesville; south along NY 22 to the west shore of South Bay, along and around the shoreline of South Bay to NY 22 on the east shore of South Bay; southeast along NY 22 to U.S. 4, northeast along U.S. 4 to the Vermont border.
Long Island Zone— That area consisting of Nassau County, Suffolk County, that area of Westchester County southeast of I-95, and their tidal waters.
Western Zone— That area west of a line extending from Lake Ontario east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, and south along I-81 to the Pennsylvania border.
Northeastern Zone— That area north of a line extending from Lake Ontario east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, south along I-81 to NY 49, east along NY 49 to NY 365, east along NY 365 to NY 28, east along NY 28 to NY 29, east along NY 29 to I-87, north along I-87 to U.S. 9 (at Exit 20), north along U.S. 9 to NY 149, east along NY 149 to U.S. 4, north along U.S. 4 to the Vermont border, exclusive of the Lake Champlain Zone.
Southeastern Zone— The remaining portion of New York.
Northeast Hunt Unit— Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Dare, Hyde, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell, and Washington Counties; that portion of Bertie County north and east of a line formed by NC 45 at the Washington County line to US 17 in Midway, US 17 in Midway to US 13 in Windsor to the Hertford County line; and that portion of Northampton County that is north of US 158 and east of NC 35.
Mississippi Flyway Back to Top
Northeast Canada Goose Zone— Cook, Du Page, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will Counties.
North Zone: That portion of the State outside the Northeast Canada Goose Zone and north of a line extending west from the Indiana border along 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.
Southeast Goose Zone— That part of the State within the following described boundaries: beginning at the intersection of U.S. Highway 52 and the south boundary of the Twin Cities Metro Canada Goose Zone; then along the U.S. Highway 52 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 57; then along STH 57 to the municipal boundary of Kasson; then along the municipal boundary of Kasson County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 13, Dodge County; then along CSAH 13 to STH 30; then along STH 30 to U.S. Highway 63; then along U.S. Highway 63 to the south boundary of the State; then along the south and east boundaries of the State to the south boundary of the Twin Cities Metro Canada Goose Zone; then along said boundary to the point of beginning.
West Zone— That portion of the State encompassed by a line beginning at the junction of State Trunk Highway (STH) 60 and the Iowa border, then north and east along STH 60 to U.S. Highway 71, north along U.S. 71 to I-94, then north and west along I-94 to the North Dakota border.
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September Canada Goose Unit- That part of Nebraska bounded by a line from the Nebraska-Iowa State line west on U.S. Highway 30 to US Highway 81, then south on US Highway 81 to NE Highway 64, then east on NE Highway 64 to NE Highway 15, then south on NE Highway 15 to NE Highway 41, then east on NE Highway 41 to NE Highway 50, then north on NE Highway 50 to NE Highway 2, then east on NE Highway 2 to the Nebraska-Iowa State line.
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Northwest Zone— Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Polk, Multnomah, Tillamook, Washington, and Yamhill Counties.
Area 2A (SW Quota Zone)— Clark County, except portions south of the Washougal River; Cowlitz County; and Wahkiakum County.
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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.
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MVP—Lower Peninsula Zone: The MVP—Lower Peninsula Zone consists of the area within the Lower Peninsula of Michigan that is north and west of the point beginning at the southwest corner of Branch County, north continuing along the western border of Branch and Calhoun Counties to the northwest corner of Calhoun County, then east to the southwest corner of Eaton County, then north to the southern border of Ionia County, then east to the southwest corner of Clinton County, then north along the western border of Clinton County continuing north along the county border of Gratiot and Montcalm Counties to the southern border of Isabella county, then east to the southwest corner of Midland County, then north along the west Midland County border to Highway M-20, then easterly to U.S. Highway 10, then easterly to U.S. Interstate 75 / U.S. Highway 23, then northerly along I-75 / U.S. 23 and easterly on U.S. 23 to the centerline of the Au Gres River, then southerly along the centerline of the Au Gres River to Saginaw Bay, then on a line directly east 10 miles into Saginaw Bay, and from that point on a line directly northeast to the Canadian border.
Regular-Season Open Area— Chaves, Curry, De Baca, Eddy, Lea, Quay, and Roosevelt Counties.
Middle Rio Grande Valley Area— The Central Flyway portion of New Mexico in Socorro and Valencia Counties.
Estancia Valley Area— Those portions of Santa Fe, Torrance and Bernallilo Counties within an area bounded on the west by New Mexico Highway 55 beginning at Mountainair north to NM 337, north to NM 14, north to I-25; on the north by I-25 east to U.S. 285; on the east by U.S. 285 south to U.S. 60; and on the south by U.S. 60 from U.S. 285 west to NM 55 in Mountainair.
Southwest Zone— Sierra, Luna, Dona Ana Counties, and those portions of Grant and Hidalgo Counties south of I-10.
Area 1— That portion of the State west of U.S. 281.
Area 2— That portion of the State east of U.S. 281.
That portion of the State west of U.S. 281. Texas
Zone A— That portion of Texas lying west of a line beginning at the international toll bridge at Laredo, then northeast along U.S. Highway 81 to its junction with Interstate Highway 35 in Laredo, then north along Interstate Highway 35 to its junction with Interstate Highway 10 in San Antonio, then northwest along Interstate Highway 10 to its junction with U.S. Highway 83 at Junction, then north along U.S. Highway 83 to its junction with U.S. Highway 62, 16 miles north of Childress, then east along U.S. Highway 62 to the Texas-Oklahoma State line.
Zone B— That portion of Texas lying within boundaries beginning at the junction of U.S. Highway 81 and the Texas-Oklahoma State line, then southeast along U.S. Highway 81 to its junction with U.S. Highway 287 in Montague County, then southeast along U.S. Highway 287 to its junction with Interstate Highway 35W in Fort Worth, then southwest along Interstate Highway 35 to its junction with Interstate Highway 10 in San Antonio, then northwest along Interstate Highway 10 to its junction with U.S. Highway 83 in the town of Junction, then north along U.S. Highway 83 to its junction with U.S. Highway 62, 16 miles north of Childress, then east along U.S. Highway 62 to the Texas-Oklahoma State line, then south along the Texas-Oklahoma State line to the south bank of the Red River, then eastward along the vegetation line on the south bank of the Red River to U.S. Highway 81.
Zone C— The remainder of the State, except for the closed areas.
Closed areas— (A) That portion of the State lying east and north of a line beginning at the junction of U.S. Highway 81 and the Texas-Oklahoma State line, then southeast along U.S. Highway 81 to its junction with U.S. Highway 287 in Montague County, then southeast along U.S. Highway 287 to its junction with Interstate Highway 35W in Fort Worth, then southwest along Interstate Highway 35 to its junction with U.S. Highway 290 East in Austin, then east along U.S. Highway 290 to its junction with Interstate Loop 610 in Harris County, then south and east along Interstate Loop 610 to its junction with Interstate Highway 45 in Houston, then south on Interstate Highway 45 to State Highway 342, then to the shore of the Gulf of Mexico, and then north and east along the shore of the Gulf of Mexico to the Texas-Louisiana State line.
Regular-Season Open Area— Campbell, Converse, Crook, Goshen, Laramie, Niobrara, Platte, and Weston Counties, and those portions of Johnson County east of Interstates 25 and 90 and Sheridan County east of Interstate 90.
Riverton-Boysen Unit— Portions of Fremont County.
Park and Big Horn County Unit— Portions of Park and Big Horn Counties.
Special-Season Area— Game Management Units 30A, 30B, 31, and 32.
Special-Season Area— See State regulations.
Special-Season Area— Rich, Cache, and Unitah Counties and that portion of Box Elder County beginning on the Utah-Idaho State line at the Box Elder-Cache County line; west on the State line to the Pocatello Valley County Road; south on the Pocatello Valley County Road to I-15; southeast on I-15 to SR-83; south on SR-83 to Lamp Junction; west and south on the Promontory Point County Road to the tip of Promontory Point; south from Promontory Point to the Box Elder-Weber County line; east on the Box Elder-Weber County line to the Box Elder-Cache County line; north on the Box Elder-Cache County line to the Utah-Idaho State line.
Bear River Area— That portion of Lincoln County described in State regulations.
Salt River Area— That portion of Lincoln County described in State regulations.
Farson-Eden Area— Those portions of Sweetwater and Sublette Counties described in State regulations.
Uinta County Area— That portion of Uinta County described in State regulations.
North Zone— State Game Management Units 1113 and 1726.
Gulf Coast Zone— State Game Management Units 57, 9, 1416, and 10 (Unimak Island only).
Southeast Zone— State Game Management Units 14.
Pribilof and Aleutian Islands Zone— State Game Management Unit 10 (except Unimak Island).
Kodiak Zone— State Game Management Unit 8.
Ruth Cay Closure Area— The island of Ruth Cay, just south of St. Croix.
Municipality of Culebra Closure Area— All of the municipality of Culebra.
Desecheo Island Closure Area— All of Desecheo Island.
Mona Island Closure Area— All of Mona Island.
El Verde Closure Area— Those areas of the municipalities of Rio Grande and Loiza delineated as follows: (1) All lands between Routes 956 on the west and 186 on the east, from Route 3 on the north to the juncture of Routes 956 and 186 (Km 13.2) in the south; (2) all lands between Routes 186 and 966 from the juncture of 186 and 966 on the north, to the Caribbean National Forest Boundary on the south; (3) all lands lying west of Route 186 for 1 kilometer from the juncture of Routes 186 and 956 south to Km 6 on Route 186; (4) all lands within Km 14 and Km 6 on the west and the Caribbean National Forest Boundary on the east; and (5) all lands within the Caribbean National Forest Boundary whether private or public.
Cidra Municipality and adjacent areas— All of Cidra Municipality and portions of Aguas Buenas, Caguas, Cayey, and Comerio Municipalities as encompassed within the following boundary: beginning on Highway 172 as it leaves the municipality of Cidra on the west edge, north to Highway 156, east on Highway 156 to Highway 1, south on Highway 1 to Highway 765, south on Highway 765 to Highway 763, south on Highway 763 to the Rio Guavate, west along Rio Guavate to Highway 1, southwest on Highway 1 to Highway 14, west on Highway 14 to Highway 729, north on Highway 729 to Cidra Municipality boundary to the point of the beginning.
[FR Doc. E9-20400 Filed 8-24-09; 8:45 am]