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

Regulations Schedule for 1998

On March 20, 1998, the Service published in the Federal Register (63 FR 13748) a proposal to amend 50 CFR part 20. The proposal dealt with the establishment of seasons, limits, and other regulations for migratory game birds under Secs. 20.101 through 20.107, 20.109, and 20.110 of subpart K. On May 29, 1998, the Service published in the Federal Register (63 FR 29518) a second document providing supplemental proposals for early-and late-season migratory bird hunting regulations frameworks and the proposed regulatory alternatives for the 1998-99 duck hunting season. The May 29 supplement also provided detailed information on the 1998-99 regulatory schedule and announced the Service Migratory Bird Regulations Committee and Flyway Council meetings. On June 25, 1998, the Service held a public hearing in Washington, DC, as announced in the March 20 and May 29 Federal Registers to review the status of migratory shore and upland game birds. The Service discussed hunting regulations for these species and for other early seasons. On July 17, 1998, the Service published in the Federal Register (63 FR 38700) a third document specifically dealing with proposed early-season frameworks for the 1998-99 season. This rulemaking establishes final frameworks for early-season migratory bird hunting regulations for the 1998-99 season.

Review of Flyway Council Recommendations, Public Comments and the Service's Responses

The public comment period for early-season issues ended on July 31, 1998. The Service received recommendations from all four Flyway Councils. Early-season comments are summarized and discussed in the order used in the March 20 Federal Register. Only the numbered items pertaining to early seasons for which comments were received are included. Flyway Council recommendations shown below include only those involving changes from the 1997-98 early-season frameworks. For those topics where a Council recommendation is not shown, the Council supported continuing the same frameworks as in 1997-98.

General

Written Comments: The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) recommended all seasons open at noon, mid-week, to reduce the large kills associated with the traditional Saturday openings. They also recommend that hunting during the one-half hour before sunrise be eliminated.

1. Ducks

The categories used to discuss issues related to duck harvest management are as follows: (A) General Harvest Strategy, (B) Framework Dates, (C) Season Length, (D) Closed Seasons, (E) Bag Limits, (F) Zones and Split Seasons, and (G) Special Seasons/Species Management. Only those categories containing substantial recommendations are included below.

F. Zones and Split Seasons

Written Comments: The Ohio Division of Wildlife requested elimination of the Pymatuning Waterfowl Hunting Zone in Ohio and incorporation of the affected area into the North Zone beginning in the 1998-99 season. Service Response: In the past, hunting seasons in that portion of Ohio had to be the same as those selected by Pennsylvania for that portion of Pennsylvania. Beginning this year, the Pymatuning Area will no longer be included in the Federal waterfowl hunting frameworks as a separate area, and will be considered part of Ohio's North Zone.

G. Special Seasons/Species Management

iii. September Teal Seasons Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended the establishment of an experimental September teal season option in the Atlantic Flyway. States deriving more than 80 percent of their teal harvest from the mid-continent regions (Delaware, Georgia, Florida, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia) could hold a 9-day season between September 1 and 30 with a daily bag limit of 4 teal. The Central Flyway Council recommended an experimental September teal season harvest strategy in the nonproduction States of the Central Flyway based on the May breeding population index (BPI) of blue-winged teal. When the BPI of blue-winged teal is 4.7 million or greater, the Council's recommended harvest strategy would consist of an additional 7 days of hunting (for a total of 16 days). When the BPI of blue-winged teal is below 4.7 million but remains at or above 3.3 million, the Council's recommended harvest strategy would maintain the current 9-day season. When the BPI of blue-winged teal is below 3.3 million, the Council's recommended harvest strategy would consider closure of September teal seasons. Public Hearing Comments: Mr. Robert McDowell, representing the Atlantic Flyway Council, expressed appreciation for authorizing a 9-day September teal season in a portion of the Atlantic Flyway. However, he asked the Service to reconsider a 16-day teal season. Written Comments: The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources was disappointed in the proposal to offer additional days of teal hunting to nonproduction States before addressing the equatability issue in production States. One individual from Wisconsin and 1 from Minnesota urged the Service to consider a special teal season for the production States.

Service Response: The Service supports the Atlantic Flyway Council's proposal for an experimental 9-day special September teal season in those States that derive 80% of their teal harvest from the mid-continent region (to include States from Pennsylvania and Delaware southward). These States would be required to evaluate the impacts to non-target waterfowl species by conducting hunter performance surveys. The Service remains concerned with the definition of production and non-production States but will work with the Flyway to establish decision criteria based on historic harvests of non-target species in other Flyways. The Service strongly encourages as many of the States as possible to participate in the evaluation, as sampling requirements will be based on the number of States involved. This season will be experimental for a 3-year period but must include a pre-sunrise evaluation in order to have shooting hours begin \1/2\-hour before sunrise. The Service will develop and implement a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Service and participating States to stipulate the guidelines and implementation of this season. These MOAs must be in place before the start of any season. The Service also supports the Central Flyway Council's proposal for a September-teal-season harvest strategy that would provide a 16-day special season in those States that currently have operational special September teal seasons when blue-winged teal populations are above 4.7 million. The evaluation plan submitted by the Council appears adequate for annual monitoring and assessment of this expanded opportunity. Although current changes in band-reporting rates make interpretation of band-recovery data difficult, the Service believes that the 4.7 million breeding population trigger is an adequate threshold for conducting these expanded seasons. The expanded season also will be offered to those States in the Mississippi Flyway that currently are offered a special teal season, under the same stipulations given to the Central Flyway. An annual evaluation of pertinent population, habitat, and harvest information will be required, with a final report due after the seasons have been conducted for 3 years. Continuation of the season is conditional upon the completion of the annual and final reports. The Service believes that a comprehensive review of blue-winged teal biology, an assessment of the cumulative effects of all teal harvest, and an evaluation of possible expansion of hunting opportunity in production States is needed. In order to facilitate such an evaluation, the Service proposes to host a meeting this fall. The Service asks Flyway Councils to designate two representatives from each of the three involved Flyways to meet with Office of Migratory Bird Management staff to design a comprehensive evaluation of blue-winged teal biology and harvest management. iv. September Teal/Wood Duck Seasons Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended the continuation of the Florida September wood duck/teal season on an operational basis. The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the experimental September teal/wood duck seasons in Kentucky and Tennessee be continued in 1998 with no changes from the 1997 season. The Lower-Region Regulations Committee further recommended that if such seasons are suspended, all non-production States should be permitted to take up to 5 days of the regular season in September. Public Hearing Comments: Mr. Robert McDowell, representing the Atlantic Flyway Council expressed appreciation for approving Florida's September Duck Season. Written Comments: Representatives John S. Tanner, John J. Duncan, Harold Ford, Jr., William Jenkins, Van Hilleary, Zach Wamp, Ed Bryant, Bob Clement, Bart Gordon, and Senators Fred Thompson and Bill Frist from Tennessee requested that the Service not close Tennessee's early wood duck season. The commenters state that a decision by the Service to close the season would appear to be one based on administrative rationale, rather than sound biology. Further, facts that support continuation of the season are: (1) the season has been approved for 17 years; (2) the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency has met its preseason banding obligations; and (3) no downward trends in the wood duck populations have been recorded in stream-float surveys, summer bandings, or the Breeding Bird Survey. Finally, survival rates for Tennessee wood ducks are similar to, or higher, than rates observed prior to 1981. Roughly one third of Tennessee's waterfowlers participate in the early wood duck season. The commenters believe that closing the season would discourage their active involvement in wood duck management. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (Tennessee) expressed disappointment that the Service intended to suspend the September wood duck season. They pointed out that Tennessee hunters have never complained about decreased wood duck numbers, and that empirical evidence demonstrates that the wood duck population is not experiencing any long-term declines. Further, Tennessee stated that closing the popular 5-day season would be hard to justify because the evaluation of the season could not conclude whether the season is good or bad. Tennessee mentioned that the high costs associated with regional wood duck population monitoring will discourage most States from participating in any monitoring programs beyond what is currently being done. They pointed out that eliminating the September season without a clearly stated harvest alternative would stymie any new data-collection efforts. Thus, they requested that Tennessee's September wood duck season be granted operational status and be grandfathered into the existing frameworks. The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (Kentucky) also expressed disappointment that the Service would recommend suspending the September wood duck season in Kentucky. They stated that evaluation of the season indicated that it met the objective of limiting harvest to local wood ducks without negatively impacting southern wood duck populations. They recognized that the conclusions of the evaluation were based on data where the level of precision was questionable, but that the data were the best available and should not be discarded. Kentucky emphasized that data collected by their agency indicated no negative impacts on local wood duck populations and therefore requested that Kentucky's September season be granted operational status and grandfathered into the existing frameworks. In a subsequent letter, they stated that the Service proposal to discontinue the special season after September 2000 is premature; that such a decision should not be made until a Flyway harvest strategy is developed. The Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission opposed suspension of the September Wood Duck Seasons based on the Service's contention that adequate population monitoring was lacking. They maintained that their monitoring programs have not detected any undue negative effects on local wood duck populations after 17 years. They believe that if the Service is comfortable with the regular-season harvest pressure on wood ducks caused by several changes in season lengths,

then concern over Florida's September season hardly seem warranted. They believe the Service has continued to raise the standard for evaluation long after these seasons were initiated and did not provide specific criteria. They maintain that there is no evidence that Florida's season is negatively influencing their local wood populations and it appeared as though the reason for suspending the seasons was unjustly based on administrative convenience rather than biological concern. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources opposed hunting opportunities that are not offered to hunters in all States within a flyway. If the September wood duck seasons are suspended, they would not support non-production States in the Lower Region taking up to 5 days from the regular season in September. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources concurred with the Service's proposal to manage wood ducks on a Flyway basis but was concerned with the decision to delay the elimination of the special wood duck seasons for Tennessee, Kentucky, and Florida. Wisconsin believed that elimination of these seasons this year seemed to be consistent with Service policy. The Alabama Waterfowl Association indicated that they do not see any reason to suspend the early wood duck season and maintain that southern States provide habitat enhancement projects and deserve to have harvest opportunities on locally-reared wood ducks. A petition letter signed by 110 individuals from Tennessee stress the fact that to do away with the wood duck September season would deplete a lot of interest among several organizations who get involved with nest box programs and habitat improvement projects. Thirty-three individuals from Tennessee, 14 from Florida, and 9 from Kentucky expressed support for continuing with the September wood duck seasons to provide hunting opportunities and opposed any action by the Service to discontinue these seasons. Service Response: As indicated in the July 17 Federal Register, after many years of trying to develop regional wood duck population- monitoring programs, attempts to evaluate the experimental September wood duck seasons have been unsuccessful. Without adequate regional monitoring, special seasons that target regional wood duck populations should be discontinued. Instead, wood duck harvest management should be approached at the Flyway level during the regular season. The recently- completed Wood Duck Population Monitoring Initiative showed that managers have much of the capability needed to monitor wood ducks at the Flyway level. The Service recognizes that improvements in the way we develop regular-season approaches to wood duck harvest management are possible. These improvements should incorporate information about the status and dynamics of wood ducks. However, there is a need to conduct additional technical assessments in order to develop flyway harvest strategies. The Service will coordinate with Flyway Councils and Technical Sections to develop such strategies. During the interim period, the Service will allow Florida, Kentucky, and Tennessee to hold September wood duck seasons for a maximum of 3 more years. After September 2000, the seasons in Florida, Kentucky, and Tennessee will be discontinued. Flyway harvest strategies will then be implemented for the 2001/02 hunting season. Should the technical assessment be completed sooner, and a Flyway strategy be implemented, the September seasons would be suspended at that time. v. Youth Hunt Council Recommendations: The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that a special one-day youth waterfowl season include the harvesting of geese. The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that a special 2-day youth waterfowl season include the harvesting of geese. The Central Flyway Council recommended expansion of the special youth waterfowl hunt to 2 consecutive days with a legal bag that includes geese. The Pacific Flyway Council recommended continuation of the one-day youth hunt that allows States to select outside the general season and frameworks. The Council further recommended the addition of 1 goose to the bag limit. Public Hearing Comments: Mr. Robert McDowell, representing the Atlantic Flyway Council, thanked the Service for providing more hunting opportunity during the youth hunt day by allowing geese to be included in the bag limit. Written Comments: The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources supported continuation of the special youth waterfowl hunt day. Senator John T. Traynor of the North Dakota Senate expressed his support for the youth hunt and urged the Service to expand the special season to 2 days and include geese in the bag limit. The Delta Waterfowl Foundation supported the expansion of the special youth hunt to 2 days and the inclusion of geese in the bag limit. Service Response: The Service appreciates the recommendations from the Flyway Councils regarding the continuation of a youth waterfowl hunting day. Upon establishment of the special youth hunting day, the Service viewed it as a unique educational opportunity which would help ensure safe, high-quality hunting for future generations of Americans. The Service's intent was not to recruit youth hunters, but to provide the best and safest learning environment for those of our youth who are interested in hunting. Further, the Service believes that establishing such a day was consistent with our responsibility to provide general education and training in the wise use of our nation's valuable wildlife resources. The Service believes the long-term conservation of North America's migratory bird resources depends on the future attitudes and actions of today's youth and that the special youth day assists in the formation and development of a conservation ethic in future generations. The Service's intent in establishing this special day is to introduce youth to the concepts of ethical utilization and stewardship of waterfowl and other natural resources, encourage youngsters and adults to experience the outdoors together, and contribute to the long-term conservation of the migratory bird resource. With these intents in mind, there is not a compelling reason to extend the opportunity an additional day. Additionally, the Service has not conducted an evaluation of the effects of the special youth hunt day to date, nor does the Service plan to conduct such an evaluation due to cost/benefit considerations. Because the special 1-day hunt is limited to youths, the Service believes that waterfowl populations can support the limited additional harvest. However, an additional day would potentially double the effect, which would result in increased uncertainty. With regard to geese, the Service supports the inclusion of the regular-season daily bag limit for geese in the special youth-hunt bag limit. However, there are two considerations that States must consider regarding the inclusion of geese in the youth hunt: (1) In many cases, States already use the legal limit

of 107 goose hunting days and the inclusion of geese in the youth day bag will require a 1-day reduction in the regular season length, and (2) all area/species restrictions would apply, thus complicating the regulations in areas with species restrictions or area closures.

3. Sea Ducks

Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended that the Service clarify regulatory language concerning bag limits for sea ducks so that bag limits for these ducks during the regular season cannot exceed bag limits established in the special sea duck season, whether inside or outside the special sea duck area. Public Hearing Comments: Mr. Robert McDowell, representing the Atlantic Flyway Council, thanked the Service for agreeing to clarify the sea duck bag limits. Written Comments: The HSUS recommended the sea duck season either be closed or severely restricted until more complete information on biology and population status is available. Service Response: The Service will continue to work with the Atlantic Flyway Council as they prepare their management plan for common eiders, and encourages the Flyway to develop management goals for other populations of sea ducks. The Service believes that a conservative approach to sea duck hunting is warranted, especially if management plans or goals have not been adopted. The Service will assess the appropriateness of current sea duck hunting regulations after finalizing a report on the status of sea duck populations; changes will be considered for the 1999 hunting season.

4. Canada Geese

A. Special Seasons Council Recommendations: The Atlantic Flyway Council recommended that the closing date of the September goose season around Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge be extended from September 15 to 25. The Lower-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the Service reevaluate criteria for special Canada goose seasons (early and late), particularly as they relate to the cumulative harvest of migrant Canada geese from populations of special concern, to insure that the criteria are consistent with management efforts to increase and/or maintain migrant populations of special concern to/at planned objective levels. Public Hearing Comments: Mr. Robert McDowell, representing the Atlantic Flyway Council, asked the Service to reconsider New York's proposal to expand their early Canada goose season in the Montezuma area. Written Comments: The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation urged the Service to reconsider the extension of the closing date around Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge. New York believed that the potential harvest of migrant geese in this small area would be insignificant, and in accordance with the 10% criterion when compared to the total September goose harvest statewide or locally. New York further asked for the same opportunity to evaluate the season extension on an experimental basis for the next 3 years. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources requested that the regular Canada goose season be allowed to open as early as September 19 throughout the State in order to assist in reducing the harvest of Mississippi Valley Population Canada geese while maintaining or increasing the harvest of giant Canada geese. Service Response: In accordance with the criteria established for early seasons on resident Canada geese, the harvest of migrant geese cannot exceed 10%. Collar observations provided by New York for 1995-97 exceed this level. Thus, the Service does not support this request. The criteria only address the proportion of collar observations of migrant geese without regard to the area size or number of collars or geese observed. Based on the evidence provided by New York, the potential to harvest AP geese increases substantially in late September. The Service recognizes that in some cases a single observation of a potential migrant may exceed the 10% criterion, but at this fine scale, it is very difficult to fully assess the impacts of expanding the season to September 25. The size of the hunt area under consideration is the prerogative of the State and is not a specific condition of the criteria to expand the special season on resident Canada geese. The Service believes that the decision criteria agreed upon by the State and the Atlantic Flyway Council are clear. The criteria for special Canada goose seasons are designed to provide additional harvest of locally-nesting Canada geese without additional impact on migrant populations. The Service believes that to date, this objective has been achieved; however, the Service will continue to monitor harvest information with reference to the provisions of the special-season criteria and objectives for migrant Canada goose populations. With regard to the request from Michigan, the Service concurs.

B. Regular Seasons

Council Recommendations: The Upper-Region Regulations Committee of the Mississippi Flyway Council recommended that the 1998 regular goose season opening date be as early as September 26 in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and September 19 in Wisconsin. Service Response: The Service concurs with the recommendation.

9. Sandhill Cranes

Council Recommendations: The Central and Pacific Flyway Councils recommended that the Rocky Mountain Population (RMP) greater sandhill crane hunt in Wyoming's Area 6 (Park and Bighorn Counties) become operational in 1998. The Councils further recommended that the third year of monitoring and data collection for the experimental hunt be waived. Written Comments: The HSUS recommends that all crane seasons be closed. The HSUS believes that these seasons are held largely to sustain hunter interest. Service Response: The Service concurs with the Central and Pacific Flyway Council recommendations for removal of experimental status of the RMP greater sandhill crane hunt in Big Horn and Park Counties of Wyoming. The third year of monitoring and data collection will be waived. Regarding HSUS's recommendations for closed seasons, available information indicates that harvest pressure on cranes is commensurate with the population status and the various crane management plans. Crane harvest is closely monitored by the Service, the Flyway Councils, and the States and there is no evidence to suggest the frameworks provided are not appropriate.

12. Rails

Written Comments: The HSUS believes that the season length and bag limits for rails are relatively long and high, respectively, despite indications of declining populations or insufficient data. Service Response: Available information indicates that harvest pressure on rails is relatively light and there is no evidence to suggest the frameworks provided are not appropriate.

13. Snipe

Written Comments: The HSUS believes that the season length and bag limits for snipe are relatively long and high, respectively, despite indications of declining populations or insufficient data. Service Response: Available information indicates that harvest pressure on snipe is relatively light and there is no evidence to suggest the frameworks provided are not appropriate.

16. Mourning Doves

Written Comments: The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries requested an extension of the framework closing date from January 15 to January 20. The HSUS recommends reduced season lengths and bag limits for mourning doves in the Eastern and Central Management Units, given the long-term significant population declines. Service Response: The Service does not support Louisiana's request at this time and asks that the issue be incorporated into the mourning dove management plan for the Eastern Management Unit, which is currently being prepared. Regarding HSUS's recommendations, available information indicates that harvest pressure on doves is commensurate with the population status and there is no evidence to suggest the frameworks provided are not appropriate.

18. Alaska

Council Recommendations: The Pacific Flyway Council recommended an increase in Alaska's Canada goose daily bag and possession limit from 1 and 2 to 3 and 6, respectively, within overall dark goose bag and possession limits of 4 and 8 in Alaska Game Management Subunit (GMU) 9(E) (Alaska Peninsula) and Unit 18 (Y-K Delta). The Pacific Flyway Council recommended an archery-only Canada goose hunt on Middleton Island, Alaska (GMU 6); by registration permit only, with no more than 10 permits; mandatory goose identification class, check-in, and check-out; season dates of September 28 to December 16; bag and possession limit of 1; season to close if incidental harvest includes 5 dusky Canada geese. Written Comments: The HSUS recommended that the opening date for all seasons in Alaska be delayed by 2 weeks so that young birds are able to leave natal marshes before being subjected to hunting pressure. Service Response: The Service supports the Council's recommendation for increased Canada goose bag limits within the overall dark goose bag limit and the limited season for Canada Geese on Middleton Island with all of the conditions recommended by the Pacific Flyway Council, except the limitation of the method of take to only archery. The Service has received no rationale for limiting the method of take and believes to do so without reason would establish an undesirable precedent. Regarding the opening date for seasons in Alaska, the Service reiterates previous responses that hunting pressure on migratory birds is comparatively light. Many northern species migrate from the State before seasons open there in September and there is no evidence to indicate regulated hunting has adversely impacted local populations.

NEPA Consideration

NEPA considerations are covered by the programmatic document, ``Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement: Issuance of Annual Regulations Permitting the Sport Hunting of Migratory Birds (FSES 88- 14),'' filed with EPA on June 9, 1988. The Service published a Notice of Availability in the June 16, 1988, Federal Register (53 FR 22582). The Service published its Record of Decision on August 18, 1988 (53 FR 31341). Copies of these documents are available from the Service at the address indicated under the caption ADDRESSES.

Endangered Species Act Considerations

As in the past, the Service designs hunting regulations to remove or alleviate chances of conflict between migratory game bird hunting seasons and the protection and conservation of endangered and threatened species. Consultations have been conducted to ensure that actions resulting from these regulatory proposals will not likely jeopardize the continued existence of endangered or threatened species or result in the destruction or adverse modification of their critical habitat. Findings from these consultations are included in a biological opinion and may cause modification of some regulatory measures previously proposed. The final frameworks reflect any modifications. The Service's biological opinions resulting from its Section 7 consultation are public documents available for public inspection in the Service's Division of Endangered Species and MBMO, at the address indicated under the caption ADDRESSES.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

In the March 20, 1998, Federal Register, the Service reported measures it took to comply with requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. One measure was to update the 1996 Small Entity Flexibility Analysis (Analysis) documenting the significant beneficial economic effect on a substantial number of small entities. The 1996 Analysis estimated that migratory bird hunters would spend between $254 and $592 million at small businesses. The Service has updated the 1996 Analysis with information from the 1996 National Hunting and Fishing Survey. Nationwide, the Service now estimates that migratory bird hunters will spend between $429 and $1,084 million at small businesses in 1998. Copies of the 1998 Analysis are available upon request from the Office of Migratory Bird Management.

Executive Order (E.O.) 12866

This rule is economically significant and was reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under E.O. 12866. E.O. 12866 requires each agency to write regulations that are easy to understand. The Service invites comments on how to make this rule easier to understand, including answers to questions such as the following: (1) Are the requirements in the rule clearly stated? (2) Does the rule contain technical language or jargon that interferes with its clarity? (3) Does the format of the rule (grouping and order of sections, use of headings, paragraphing, etc.) aid or reduce its clarity? (4) Would the rule be easier to understand if it were divided into more (but shorter) sections? (5) Is the description of the rule in the ``Supplementary Information'' section of the preamble helpful in understanding the proposed rule? What else could the Service do to make the rule easier to understand? Send a copy of any comments that concern how this rule could be made easier to understand to: Office of Regulatory Affairs, Department of the Interior, Room 7229, 1849 C Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20240. Comments may also be e-mailed to: Exsec@ios.doi.gov.

Congressional Review

In accordance with Section 251 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (5 U.S.C. 8), this rule has been submitted to Congress and has been declared major. Because this rule establishes hunting seasons, this rule qualifies for an exemption under 5

U.S.C. 808(1); therefore, the Department determines that this rule shall take effect immediately.

Paperwork Reduction Act

The Service examined these regulations under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. 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, the information collection requirements of the Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program have been approved by OMB and assigned clearance number 1018-0015 (expires 08/31/1998). The renewal clearance packet was submitted to OMB July 22, 1998. This information is used to provide a sampling frame for voluntary national surveys to improve Service harvest estimates for all migratory game birds in order to better manage these populations. The information collection requirements of the Sandhill Crane Harvest Questionnaire have been approved by OMB and assigned clearance number 1018-0023 (expires 09/30/2000). The information from this survey is used to estimate the magnitude, the geographical and temporal distribution of harvest, and the portion it constitutes of the total population. The Service 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

The Service has determined and certifies in compliance with the requirements of the Unfunded Mandates Act, 2 U.S.C. 1502 et seq., that this rulemaking will not impose a cost of $100 million or more in any given year on local or State government or private entities.

Civil Justice Reform--Executive Order 12988

The Department, in promulgating this rule, has determined that these regulations meet the applicable standards provided in Sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988.

Takings Implication Assessment

In accordance with Executive Order 12630, these rules, authorized by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, do not have significant takings implications and do not affect any constitutionally protected property rights. These rules 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 privileges that would be otherwise unavailable; and, therefore, reduce restrictions on the use of private and public property.

Federalism Effects

Due to the migratory nature of certain species of birds, the Federal government has been given responsibility over these species by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. The Service annually prescribes frameworks from which the States make selections and employs guidelines to establish special regulations on Federal Indian reservations and ceded lands. This process preserves the ability of the States and Tribes to determine which seasons meet their individual needs. Any State or Tribe may be more restrictive than the Federal frameworks at any time. The frameworks are developed in a cooperative process with the States and the Flyway Councils. This allows States to participate in the development of frameworks from which they will make selections, thereby having an influence on their own regulation. 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 12612, these regulations do not have significant federalism effects and do not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

Government-to-Government Relationship with Tribes

In accordance with the President's memorandum of April 29, 1994, ``Government-to-Government Relations with Native American tribal Governments'' (59 FR 22951) and 512 DM 2, we have evaluated possible effects on Federally recognized Indian tribes and have determined that there are no effects.

Regulations Promulgation

The rulemaking process for migratory game bird hunting must, by its nature, operate under severe time constraints. However, the Service intends that the public be given the greatest possible opportunity to comment on the regulations. Thus, when the preliminary proposed rulemaking was published, the Service established what it believed were the longest periods possible for public comment. In doing this, the Service recognized that when the comment period closed, time would be of the essence. That is, if there were a delay in the effective date of these regulations after this final rulemaking, the States would have insufficient time to select season dates and limits; to communicate those selections to the Service; and to establish and publicize the necessary regulations and procedures to implement their decisions. Therefore, the Service, under authority of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (July 3, 1918), as amended, (16 U.S.C. 703-711), prescribes final frameworks setting forth the species to be hunted, the daily bag and possession limits, the shooting hours, the season lengths, the earliest opening and latest closing season dates, and hunting areas, from which State conservation agency officials will select hunting season dates and other options. Upon receipt of season and option selections from these officials, the Service will publish in the Federal Register a final rulemaking amending 50 CFR part 20 to reflect seasons, limits, and shooting hours for the conterminous United States for the 1998-99 season. The Service therefore finds that ``good cause'' exists, within the terms of 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) of the Administrative Procedure Act, and these alternatives will, therefore, take effect immediately upon publication.

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 1998-99 hunting season are authorized under 16 U.S.C. 703-712 and 16 U.S.C. 742 a-j.

Dated: August 14, 1998. Stephen C. Saunders, Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks.

Final Regulations Frameworks for 1998-99 Early Hunting Seasons on Certain Migratory Game Birds

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 for certain migratory game birds between September 1, 1998, and March 10, 1999.

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

Mourning Dove Management Units

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.

Woodcock Management Regions

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. Other geographic descriptions are contained in a later portion of this document. Compensatory Days in the Atlantic Flyway: In the Atlantic Flyway States of Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia, where Sunday hunting is prohibited statewide by State law, all Sundays are closed to all take of migratory waterfowl (including mergansers and coots).

Special September Teal Season

Outside Dates: Between September 1 and September 30, an open season on all species of teal may be selected by the following States in areas delineated by State regulations: Atlantic Flyway--Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia. All seasons are experimental. Mississippi Flyway--Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Tennessee. Central Flyway--Colorado (part), Kansas, New Mexico (part), Oklahoma, and Texas. Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 9 consecutive days in the Atlantic Flyway and 16 consecutive days in the Mississippi and Central Flyways. The daily bag limit is 4 teal. Shooting Hours Atlantic Flyway--One-half hour before sunrise to sunset, if evaluated; otherwise 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

Florida: A 5-consecutive-day season may be selected in September. The daily bag limit may not exceed 4 teal and wood ducks in the aggregate. Kentucky and Tennessee: In lieu of a special September teal season, a 5-consecutive-day season may be selected in September. The daily bag limit may not exceed 4 teal and wood ducks in the aggregate, of which no more than 2 may be wood ducks. Iowa: Iowa may hold up to 5 days of its regular duck hunting season in September. All ducks which are legal during the regular duck season may be taken during the September segment of the season. The September season segment may commence no earlier than the Saturday nearest September 20 (September 19). The daily bag and possession limits will be the same as those in effect last year, but are subject to change during the late-season regulations process. The remainder of the regular duck season may not begin before October 10.

Special Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day

Outside Dates: States may select 1 day per duck-hunting zone, designated as ``Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day,'' in addition to their regular duck seasons. The day 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 day 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 limit may include ducks, geese, mergansers, coots, moorhens, and gallinules and would be the same as that 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 could not duck hunt but may participate in other seasons that are open on the special youth day.

Scoter, Eider, and Oldsquaw Ducks (Atlantic Flyway)

Outside Dates: Between September 15 and January 20. Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 107 days, with a daily bag limit of 7, singly or in the aggregate of the listed sea- duck species, of which no more than 4 may be scoters. Daily Bag Limits During the Regular Duck Season: 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. Areas: In all coastal waters and all waters of rivers and streams seaward from the first upstream bridge in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York; in any waters of the Atlantic Ocean and in any tidal waters of any bay which are separated by at least 1 mile of open water from any shore, island, and emergent vegetation in New Jersey,

South Carolina, and Georgia; and in any waters of the Atlantic Ocean and in any tidal waters of any bay which are separated by at least 800 yards of open water from any shore, island, and emergent vegetation in Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia; and provided that any such areas have been described, delineated, and designated as special sea-duck hunting areas under the hunting regulations adopted by the respective States.

Special Early Canada Goose Seasons

Atlantic Flyway

General Seasons Canada goose seasons of up to 15 days during September 1-15 may be selected for the Montezuma Region of New York; the Lake Champlain Region of New York and Vermont; the Eastern Unit of Maryland; Delaware; and Crawford County in Pennsylvania. Seasons not to exceed 20 days during September 1-20 may be selected for the Northeast Hunt Unit of North Carolina. Seasons may not exceed 25 days during September 1-25 in the remainder of the Flyway, except Georgia and Florida, where the season is closed. Areas open to the hunting of Canada geese must be described, delineated, and designated as such in each State's hunting regulations. Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 5 Canada geese. Experimental Seasons Experimental Canada goose seasons of up to 30 days during September 1-30 may be selected by New Jersey, New York (Long Island Zone), North Carolina (except in the Northeast Hunt Unit), and South Carolina. Experimental Canada goose seasons of up to 25 days during September 1- 25 may be selected in Crawford County, Pennsylvania. Areas open to the hunting of Canada geese must be described, delineated, and designated as such in each State's hunting regulations. Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 5 Canada geese.

Mississippi Flyway

General Seasons Canada goose seasons of up to 15 days during September 1-15 may be selected, except in the Upper Peninsula in Michigan, where the season may not extend beyond September 10, and in the Michigan Counties of Huron, Saginaw and Tuscola, where no special season may be held. The daily bag limit may not exceed 5 Canada geese. Areas open to the hunting of Canada geese must be described, delineated, and designated as such in each State's hunting regulations.

Central Flyway

General Seasons Canada goose seasons of up to 15 days during September 1-15 may be selected. The daily bag limit may not exceed 5 Canada geese. Areas open to the hunting of Canada geese must be described, delineated, and designated as such in each State's hunting regulations.

Pacific Flyway

General Seasons Wyoming may select an 8-day season on Canada geese between September 1-15. This season is subject to the following conditions: 1. Where applicable, the season must be concurrent with the September portion of the sandhill crane season. 2. All participants must have a valid State permit for the special season. 3. A daily bag limit of 2, with season and possession limits of 4 will apply to the special season. Oregon may select a special Canada goose season of up to 15 days during the period September 1-15. In addition, in the NW goose management zone, a 15-day season may be selected during the period September 1-20. Any portion of the season selected between September 16 and 20 will be considered experimental. Daily bag limits may not exceed 5 Canada geese. In the NW goose zone, at a minimum, Oregon must provide an annual evaluation of the number of dusky Canada geese present in the hunt zone during the period September 16-20 and agree to adjust seasons as necessary to avoid any potential harvest of dusky Canada geese. Washington may select a special Canada goose season of up to 15 days during the period September 1-15. Daily bag limits may not exceed 3 Canada geese. Idaho may select a 15-day season in the special East Canada Goose Zone, as described in State regulations, during the period September 1- 15. All participants must have a valid State permit and the total number of permits issued is not to exceed 110 for this zone. The daily bag limit is 2. Idaho may select a 7-day Canada Goose Season during the period September 1-15 in Nez Perce County, with a bag limit of 4. California may select a 9-day season in Humboldt County during the period September 1-15. The daily bag limit is 2. 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

Regular goose seasons may open as early as September 19 in Wisconsin and Michigan. In Wisconsin, and in Michigan for all geese except Canada geese, season lengths and bag and possession limits will be the same as those in effect last year, but are subject to change during the late-season regulations process. In Michigan, for Canada goose seasons opening September 19, the season may extend for 16 days. The daily bag limit will be 2 Canada geese, except that in the South Zone, during that portion of the season that overlaps the duck season, the daily bag limit will be one Canada goose. Provision for seasons opening October 3 or later will be contained in the late-season frameworks.

Sandhill Cranes

Regular Seasons in the Central Flyway

Outside Dates: Between September 1 and February 28. Hunting Seasons: Seasons not to exceed 58 consecutive days may be selected in designated portions of the following States: Colorado, Kansas, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Seasons not to exceed 93 consecutive days may be selected in designated portions of the following States: New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Daily Bag Limits: 3 sandhill cranes. Permits: Each person participating in the regular sandhill crane seasons must have a valid Federal sandhill crane hunting permit in their possession while hunting.

Special Seasons in the Central and Pacific Flyways

Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming may select seasons for hunting sandhill cranes within the range of the Rocky Mountain Population subject to the following conditions: Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 31. Hunting Seasons: The season in any State or zone may not exceed 30 days. Bag limits: Not to exceed 3 daily and 9 per season. Permits: Participants must have a valid permit, issued by the appropriate State, in their possession while hunting. Other provisions: Numbers of permits, open areas, season dates, protection plans for other species, and other provisions of seasons must be consistent with the management plan and approved by the Central and Pacific Flyway Councils. Seasons in Idaho are experimental.

Common Moorhens and Purple Gallinules

Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 20 in the Atlantic Flyway, and between September 1 and the Sunday nearest January 20 (January 17) in the Mississippi and Central Flyways. States in the Pacific Flyway have been allowed to select their hunting seasons between the outside dates for the season on ducks; therefore, they are late-season frameworks and no frameworks are provided in this document. Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Seasons may not exceed 70 days in the Atlantic, Mississippi, and Central Flyways. Seasons may be split into 2 segments. The daily bag limit is 15 common moorhens and purple gallinules, singly or in the aggregate of the two species.

Rails

Outside Dates: States included herein may select seasons between September 1 and January 20 on clapper, king, sora, and Virginia rails. Hunting Seasons: The season may not exceed 70 days, and may be split into 2 segments.

Daily Bag Limits

Clapper and King Rails--In Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland, 10, singly or in the aggregate of the two 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

Outside Dates: Between September 1 and February 28, except in Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia, where the season must end no later than January 31. Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Seasons may not exceed 107 days and may be split into two segments. The daily bag limit is 8 snipe.

American Woodcock

Outside Dates: States in the Eastern Management Region may select hunting seasons between October 6 and January 31. States in the Central Management Region may select hunting seasons between the Saturday nearest September 22 (September 19) and January 31. Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Seasons may not exceed 30 days in the Atlantic Flyway and 45 days in the Central and Mississippi Flyways. The daily bag limit is 3. Seasons may be split into two segments. Zoning: New Jersey may select seasons in each of two zones. The season in each zone may not exceed 24 days.

Band-Tailed Pigeons

Pacific Coast States (California, Oregon, Washington, and Nevada)

Outside Dates: Between September 15 and January 1. Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 9 consecutive days, with bag and possession limits of 2 and 2 band-tailed pigeons, respectively. Zoning: California may select hunting seasons not to exceed 9 consecutive days in each of two zones. The season in the North Zone must close by October 7.

Four-Corners States (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah)

Outside Dates: Between September 1 and November 30. Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 30 consecutive days, with a daily bag limit of 5 band-tailed pigeons. Zoning: New Mexico may select hunting seasons not to exceed 20 consecutive days in each of two zones. The season in the South Zone may not open until October 1.

Mourning Doves

Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 15, except as otherwise provided, States may select hunting seasons and daily bag limits as follows:

Eastern Management Unit

Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 70 days with a daily bag limit of 12, or not more than 60 days with a daily bag limit of 15. Zoning and Split Seasons: States may select hunting seasons in each of two zones. The season within each zone may be split into not more than three periods. The hunting seasons in the South Zones of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi may commence no earlier than September 20. Regulations for bag and possession limits, season length, and shooting hours must be uniform within specific hunting zones.

Central Management Unit

Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Not more than 70 days with a daily bag limit of 12, or not more than 60 days with a daily bag limit of 15. Zoning and Split Seasons: States may select hunting seasons in each of two zones. The season within each zone may be split into not more than three periods. Texas may select hunting seasons for each of three zones subject to the following conditions: A. The hunting season may be split into not more than two periods, except in that portion of Texas in which the special white-winged dove season is allowed, where a limited mourning dove season may be held concurrently with that special season (see white-winged dove frameworks). B. A season may be selected for the North and Central Zones between September 1 and January 25; and for the South Zone between September 20 and January 25. C. Each zone may have a daily bag limit of 12 doves (15 under the alternative) in the aggregate, no more than 2 of which may be white- tipped doves, except that during the special white-winged dove season, the daily bag limit may not exceed 10 white-winged, mourning, and white-tipped doves in the aggregate, of which no more than 5 may be mourning doves and 2 may be white-tipped doves. D. Except as noted above, regulations for bag and possession limits, season length, and shooting hours must be uniform within each hunting zone.

Western Management Unit

Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits: Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington--Not more than 30 consecutive days with a daily bag limit of 10 mourning doves (in Nevada, 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 restricted to 10 mourning doves. In California, the daily bag limit may not exceed 10 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate.

White-Winged and White-tipped Doves

Hunting Seasons and Daily Bag Limits

Except as shown below, seasons in Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas must be concurrent with mourning dove seasons. Arizona may select a hunting season of not more than 30 consecutive days, running concurrently with the first segment of the mourning dove season. The daily bag limit may not exceed 10 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate, of which no more than 6 may be white-winged doves. In Florida, the daily bag limit may not exceed 12 mourning and white-winged doves (15 under the alternative) in the aggregate, of which no more than 4 may be white-winged doves. In the Nevada Counties of Clark and Nye, and in the California Counties of Imperial, Riverside, and San Bernardino, the daily bag limit may not exceed 10 mourning and white-winged doves in the aggregate. In New Mexico, the daily bag limit may not exceed 12 mourning and white-winged doves (15 under the alternative) in the aggregate. In Texas, the daily bag limit may not exceed 12 doves (15 under the alternative) in the aggregate, of which not more than 2 may be white- tipped doves. In addition, Texas may also select a hunting season of not more than 4 days for the special white-winged dove area of the South Zone between September 1 and September 19. The daily bag limit may not exceed 10 white-winged, mourning, and white-tipped doves in the aggregate, of which no more than 5 may be mourning doves and 2 may be white-tipped doves.

Alaska

Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 26. Hunting Seasons: Alaska may select 107 consecutive days for waterfowl, sandhill cranes, and common snipe in each of five zones. The season may be split without penalty in the Kodiak Zone. The seasons in each zone must be concurrent. Closures: The season is closed on Canada geese from Unimak Pass westward in the Aleutian Island chain. The hunting season is closed on Aleutian Canada geese, emperor geese, spectacled eiders, and Steller's eiders.

Daily Bag and Possession Limits

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, respectively. The basic limits may include no more than 1 canvasback daily and 3 in possession. In addition to the basic limit, there is a daily bag limit of 15 and a possession limit of 30 scoter, common and king eiders, oldsquaw, harlequin, and common and red-breasted mergansers, singly or in the aggregate of these species. Light Geese--A basic daily bag limit of 3 and a possession limit of 6. Dark Geese--A basic daily bag limit of 4 and a possession limit of 8. Dark-goose seasons are subject to the following exceptions: 1. In Units 9(e) and 18, the limits for dark geese are 3 daily and 6 in possession. 2. In Units 5 and 6, the taking of Canada geese is permitted from September 28 through December 16. A special, permit only Canada goose season may be offered on Middleton Island. No more than 10 permits can be issued. A mandatory goose identification class is required. Hunters must check-in and check-out. Bag limit of 1 daily and 1 in possession. Season to 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 Unit 10 (except Unimak Island), the taking of Canada geese is prohibited. 4. In Unit 9(D) and the Unimak Island portion of Unit 10, the limits for dark geese are 6 daily and 12 in possession. Brant--A daily bag limit of 2. Common snipe--A daily bag limit of 8. Sandhill cranes--A daily bag limit of 3. Tundra Swans--Open seasons for tundra swans may be selected subject to the following conditions: 1. All seasons are by registration permit only. 2. All season framework dates are September 1--October 31. 3. In GMU 18, no more than 500 permits may be issued during the operational season. No more than 3 tundra swans permits may be issued per hunter and permits must be issued sequentially one at a time, upon filing a harvest report. 4. In GMU 22, no more than 300 permits may be issued during the operational season authorizing each permittee to take 1 tundra swan per season. 5. In GMU 23, no more than 300 permits may be issued during the experimental season. No more than 3 tundra swans permits may be issued per hunter and permits must be issued sequentially, one at a time, upon filing a harvest report. The experimental season evaluation must adhere to the guidelines for experimental seasons as described in the Pacific Flyway Management Plan for the Western Population of (Tundra) Swans.

Hawaii

Outside Dates: Between October 1 and January 31. Hunting Seasons: Not more than 65 days (75 under the alternative) for mourning doves. Bag Limits: Not to exceed 15 (12 under the alternative) mourning doves.

Note: Mourning doves may be taken in Hawaii in accordance with shooting hours and other regulations set by the State of Hawaii, and subject to the applicable provisions of 50 CFR part 20.

Puerto Rico

Doves and Pigeons Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 15. Hunting Seasons: Not more than 60 days. Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Not to exceed 10 Zenaida, mourning, and white-winged doves in the aggregate. Not to exceed 5 scaly-naped pigeons. Closed Areas: There is no open season on doves or pigeons in the following areas: Municipality of Culebra, Desecheo Island, Mona Island, El Verde Closure Area, and Cidra Municipality and adjacent areas. Ducks, Coots, Moorhens, Gallinules, and Snipe Outside Dates: Between October 1 and January 31. Hunting Seasons: Not more than 55 days may be selected for hunting ducks, common moorhens, and common snipe. The season may be split into two segments. Daily Bag Limits Ducks--Not to exceed 6. Common moorhens--Not to exceed 6. Common snipe--Not to exceed 8. Closed Seasons: The season is closed on the ruddy duck, white- cheeked pintail, West Indian whistling duck, fulvous whistling duck, and masked duck, which are protected by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The season also is closed on the purple gallinule, American coot, and Caribbean coot. Closed Areas: There is no open season on ducks, common moorhens, and common snipe in the Municipality of Culebra and on Desecheo Island.

Virgin Islands

Doves and Pigeons Outside Dates: Between September 1 and January 15. Hunting Seasons: Not more than 60 days for Zenaida doves. Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Not to exceed 10 Zenaida doves. Closed Seasons: No open season is prescribed for ground or quail doves, or pigeons in the Virgin Islands. Closed Areas: There is no open season for migratory game birds on Ruth Cay (just south of St. Croix). Local Names for Certain Birds: Zenaida dove, also known as mountain dove; bridled quail-dove, also known as Barbary dove or partridge; Common ground-dove, also known as stone dove, tobacco dove, rola, or tortolita; scaly-naped pigeon, also known as red-necked or scaled pigeon. Ducks Outside Dates: Between December 1 and January 31. Hunting Seasons: Not more than 55 consecutive days. Daily Bag Limits: Not to exceed 6. Closed Seasons: The season is closed on the ruddy duck, white- cheeked pintail, West Indian whistling duck, fulvous whistling duck, and masked duck.

Special Falconry Regulations

Falconry is a permitted means of taking migratory game birds in any State meeting Federal falconry standards in 50 CFR 21.29(k). These States may select an extended season for taking migratory game birds in accordance with the following: Extended Seasons: For all hunting methods combined, the combined length of the extended season, regular season, and any special or experimental seasons shall not exceed 107 days for any species or group of species in a geographical area. Each extended season may be divided into a maximum of 3 segments. Framework Dates: Seasons must fall between September 1 and March 10. Daily Bag and Possession Limits: Falconry daily bag and possession limits for all permitted migratory game birds shall not exceed 3 and 6 birds, respectively, singly or in the aggregate, during extended falconry seasons, any special or experimental seasons, and regular hunting seasons in all States, including those that do not select an extended falconry season. Regular Seasons: General hunting regulations, including seasons and hunting hours, apply to falconry in each State listed in 50 CFR 21.29(k). 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

Mourning and White-winged Doves

Alabama South Zone--Baldwin, Barbour, Coffee, Conecuh, Covington, Dale, Escambia, Geneva, Henry, Houston, and Mobile Counties. North Zone--Remainder of the State. California White-winged Dove Open Areas--Imperial, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties. Florida 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. Georgia Northern Zone--That portion of the State lying north of a line running west to east along U.S. Highway 280 from Columbus to Wilcox County, thence southward along the western border of Wilcox County; thence east along the southern border of Wilcox County to the Ocmulgee River, thence north along the Ocmulgee River to Highway 280, thence east along Highway 280 to the Little Ocmulgee River; thence southward along the Little Ocmulgee River to the Ocmulgee River; thence southwesterly along the Ocmulgee River to the western border of the Jeff Davis County; thence south along the western border of Jeff Davis County; thence east along the southern border of Jeff Davis and Appling Counties; thence north along the eastern border of Appling County, to the Altamaha River; thence east to the eastern border of Tattnall County; thence north along the eastern border of Tattnall County; thence north along the western border of Evans to Candler County; thence west along the southern border of Candler County to the Ohoopee River; thence north along the western border of Candler County to Bulloch County; thence north along the western border of Bulloch County to U.S. Highway 301; thence northeast along U.S. Highway 301 to the South Carolina line. South Zone--Remainder of the State. Louisiana North Zone--That portion of the State north of Interstate Highway 10 from the Texas State line to Baton Rouge, Interstate Highway 12 from Baton Rouge to Slidell and Interstate Highway 10 from Slidell to the Mississippi State line. South Zone--The remainder of the State. Mississippi South Zone--The Counties of Forrest, George, Greene, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, Lamar, Marion, Pearl River, Perry, Pike, Stone, and Walthall. North Zone--The remainder of the State. Nevada White-winged Dove Open Areas--Clark and Nye Counties. Texas 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 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 Uvalde; south on U.S. 83 to TX 44; east along TX 44 to TX 16 at Freer; south along TX 16 to TX 285 at Hebbronville; east along TX 285 to FM 1017; southwest along 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.

Band-tailed Pigeons

California North Zone--Alpine, Butte, Del Norte, Glenn, Humboldt, Lassen, Mendocino, Modoc, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Siskiyou, Tehama, and Trinity Counties. South Zone--The remainder of the State.

New Mexico 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. Washington 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

New Jersey North Zone--That portion of the State north of NJ 70. South Zone--The remainder of the State.

Special September Canada Goose Seasons

Atlantic Flyway Connecticut North Zone--That portion of the State north of I-95. Maryland Eastern Unit--Anne Arundel, Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Charles, Dorchester, Harford, Kent, Queen Annes, St. Marys, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties, and those portions of Baltimore, Howard, and Prince George's Counties east of I-95. Western Unit--Allegany, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Montgomery, and Washington Counties, and those portions of Baltimore, Howard, and Prince George's Counties east of I-95. Massachusetts Western Zone--That portion of the State west of a line extending south from the Vermont border on I-91 to MA 9, west on MA 9 to MA 10, south on MA 10 to U.S. 202, south on U.S. 202 to the Connecticut border. Central Zone--That portion of the State east of the Berkshire Zone and west of a line extending south from the New Hampshire border on I- 95 to U.S. 1, south on U.S. 1 to I-93, south on I-93 to MA 3, south on MA 3 to U.S. 6, west on U.S. 6 to MA 28, west on MA 28 to I-195, west to the Rhode Island border; except the waters, and the lands 150 yards inland from the high-water mark, of the Assonet River upstream to the MA 24 bridge, and the Taunton River upstream to the Center St.-Elm St. bridge shall be in the Coastal Zone. Coastal Zone--That portion of Massachusetts east and south of the Central Zone. New York Lake Champlain Zone--The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that area east and north of a line extending along NY 9B from the Canadian border to U.S. 9, south along U.S. 9 to NY 22 south of Keesville; south along NY 22 to the west shore of South Bay, along and around the shoreline of South Bay to NY 22 on the east shore of South Bay; southeast along NY 22 to U.S. 4, northeast along U.S. 4 to the Vermont border. Long Island Zone--That area consisting of Nassau County, Suffolk County, that area of Westchester County southeast of I-95, and their tidal waters. Western Zone--That area west of a line extending from Lake Ontario east along the north shore of the Salmon River to I-81, and south along I-81 to the Pennsylvania border, except for the Montezuma Zone. Montezuma Zone--Those portions of Cayuga, Seneca, Ontario, Wayne, and Oswego Counties north of U.S. Route 20, east of NYS Route 14, south of NYS Route 104, and west of NYS Route 34. 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. North Carolina Northeast Hunt Unit--Counties of Bertie, Camden, Chovan, Currituck, Dare, Hyde, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Tyrrell, and Washington. South Carolina Early-season Hunt Unit--Clarendon County and those portions of Orangeburg County north of SC Highway 6 and 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 west of the Santee Dam. Vermont Lake Champlain Zone: The U.S. portion of Lake Champlain and that area north and west of a line extending from the New York border along U.S. 4 to VT 22A at Fair Haven; VT 22A to U.S. 7 at Vergennes; U.S. 7 to the Canadian border. Interior Zone: The remaining portion of Vermont.

Mississippi Flyway

Illinois Northeast Canada Goose Zone--Cook, DuPage, 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 east from the Iowa border along Illinois Highway 92 to Interstate Highway 280, east along I-280 to I-80, then east along I-80 to the Indiana border. Central Zone: That portion of the State outside the Northeast Canada Goose Zone and south of the North Zone to a line extending east from the Missouri border along the Modoc Ferry route to Modoc Ferry Road, east along Modoc Ferry Road to Modoc Road, northeasterly along Modoc Road and St. Leo's Road to Illinois Highway 3, north along Illinois 3 to Illinois 159, north along Illinois 159 to Illinois 161, east along Illinois 161 to Illinois 4, north along Illinois 4 to Interstate Highway 70, east along I-70 to the Bond County line, north and east along the Bond County line to Fayette County, north and east along the Fayette County line to Effingham County, east and south along the Effingham County line to I-70, then east along I-70 to the Indiana border. South Zone: The remainder of Illinois. Iowa North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending east from the Nebraska border along State Highway 175 to State 37, southeast along State 37 to U.S. Highway 59, south along U.S. 59 to Interstate Highway 80, then east along I-80 to the Illinois border. South Zone: The remainder of Iowa. Michigan North Zone: The Upper Peninsula. Middle Zone: That portion of the Lower Peninsula north of a line beginning at the Wisconsin border in Lake Michigan due west of the mouth of Stony Creek in Oceana County; then due east to, and easterly and southerly along the south shore of, Stony Creek to Scenic Drive, easterly and southerly along Scenic Drive to Stony Lake Road, easterly along Stony Lake and Garfield Roads to Michigan Highway 20, east along Michigan 20 to U.S. Highway 10 Business Route (BR) in the city of Midland, east along U.S. 10 BR to U.S. 10, east along U.S. 10 to Interstate Highway 75/U.S. Highway 23, north along I-75/U.S. 23 to the U.S. 23 exit at Standish, east along U.S. 23 to Shore Road in Arenac County, east along Shore Road to the tip of Point Lookout, then on a line directly east 10 miles into

Saginaw Bay, and from that point on a line directly northeast to the Canada border. South Zone: The remainder of Michigan. Minnesota Twin Cities Metropolitan Canada Goose Zone-- A. All of Hennepin and Ramsey Counties. B. In Anoka County, all of Columbus Township lying south of County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 18, Anoka County; all of the cities of Ramsey, Andover, Anoka, Coon Rapids, Spring Lake Park, Fridley, Hilltop, Columbia Heights, Blaine, Lexington, Circle Pines, Lino Lakes, and Centerville; and all of the city of Ham Lake except that portion lying north of CSAH 18 and east of U.S. Highway 65. C. That part of Carver County lying north and east of the following described line: Beginning at the northeast corner of San Francisco Township; thence west along the north boundary of San Francisco Township to the east boundary of Dahlgren Township; thence north along the east boundary of Dahlgren Township to U.S. Highway 212; thence west along U.S. Highway 212 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 284; thence north on STH 284 to County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 10; thence north and west on CSAH 10 to CSAH 30; thence north and west on CSAH 30 to STH 25; thence east and north on STH 25 to CSAH 10; thence north on CSAH 10 to the Carver County line. D. In Scott County, all of the cities of Shakopee, Savage, Prior Lake, and Jordan, and all of the Townships of Jackson, Louisville, St. Lawrence, Sand Creek, Spring Lake, and Credit River. E. In Dakota County, all of the cities of Burnsville, Eagan, Mendota Heights, Mendota, Sunfish Lake, Inver Grove Heights, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Rosemount, Farmington, Hastings, Lilydale, West St. Paul, and South St. Paul, and all of the Township of Nininger. F. That portion of Washington County lying south of the following described line: Beginning at County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 2 on the west boundary of the county; thence east on CSAH 2 to U.S. Highway 61; thence south on U.S. Highway 61 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 97; thence east on STH 97 to the intersection of STH 97 and STH 95; thence due east to the east boundary of the State. Northwest Goose Zone (included for reference only, not a special September Goose Season Zone)--That portion of the State encompassed by a line extending east from the North Dakota border along U.S. Highway 2 to State Trunk Highway (STH) 32, north along STH 32 to STH 92, east along STH 92 to County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 2 in Polk County, north along CSAH 2 to CSAH 27 in Pennington County, north along CSAH 27 to STH 1, east along STH 1 to CSAH 28 in Pennington County, north along CSAH 28 to CSAH 54 in Marshall County, north along CSAH 54 to CSAH 9 in Roseau County, north along CSAH 9 to STH 11, west along STH 11 to STH 310, and north along STH 310 to the Manitoba border. Two Goose Zone--That portion of the state lying east of Interstate Highway 35 and south of the Twin Cities Metropolitan Canada Goose Zone. Five Goose Zone--That portion of the state not included in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Canada Goose Zone, the Northwest Goose Zone, or the Two Goose Zone. Tennessee Middle Tennessee Zone--Those portions of Houston, Humphreys, Montgomery, Perry, and Wayne Counties east of State Highway 13; and Bedford, Cannon, Cheatham, Coffee, Davidson, Dickson, Franklin, Giles, Hickman, Lawrence, Lewis, Lincoln, Macon, Marshall, Maury, Moore, Robertson, Rutherford, Smith, Sumner, Trousdale, Williamson, and Wilson Counties. East Tennessee Zone--Anderson, Bledsoe, Bradley, Blount, Campbell, Carter, Claiborne, Clay, Cocke, Cumberland, Dekalb, Fentress, Grainger, Greene, Grundy, Hamblen, Hamilton, Hancock, Hawkins, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Knox, Loudon, Marion, McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Overton, Pickett, Polk, Putnam, Rhea, Roane, Scott, Sequatchie, Sevier, Sullivan, Unicoi, Union, Van Buren, Warren, Washington, and White Counties. Wisconsin Early-Season Subzone A--That portion of the State encompassed by a line beginning at the Lake Michigan shore in Sheboygan, then west along State Highway 23 to State 67, southerly along State 67 to County Highway E in Sheboygan County, southerly along County E to State 28, south and west along State 28 to U.S. Highway 41, southerly along U.S. 41 to State 33, westerly along State 33 to County Highway U in Washington County, southerly along County U to County N, southeasterly along County N to State 60, westerly along State 60 to County Highway P in Dodge County, southerly along County P to County O, westerly along County O to State 109, south and west along State 109 to State 26, southerly along State 26 to U.S. 12, southerly along U.S. 12 to State 89, southerly along State 89 to U.S. 14, southerly along U.S. 14 to the Illinois border, east along the Illinois border to the Michigan border in Lake Michigan, north along the Michigan border in Lake Michigan to a point directly east of State 23 in Sheboygan, then west along that line to the point of beginning on the Lake Michigan shore in Sheboygan. Early-Season Subzone B--That portion of the State between Early- Season Subzone A and a line beginning at the intersection of U.S. Highway 141 and the Michigan border near Niagara, then south along U.S. 141 to State Highway 22, west and southwest along State 22 to U.S. 45, south along U.S. 45 to State 22, west and south along State 22 to State 110, south along State 110 to U.S. 10, south along U.S. 10 to State 49, south along State 49 to State 23, west along State 23 to State 73, south along State 73 to State 60, west along State 60 to State 23, south along State 23 to State 11, east along State 11 to State 78, then south along State 78 to the Illinois border.

Central Flyway

South Dakota September Canada Goose Unit--Brookings, Clark, Codington, Day, Deuel, Grant, Hamlin, Kingsbury, Lake, McCook, Moody Counties, and Miner County east of SD 25, and that portion of Minnehaha County north and west of a line beginning at the junction of County 130 (Renner Road) and the Minnesota border, then west on County 130 to I-29 and along I-29 to the Lincoln County line.

Pacific Flyway

Idaho East Zone--Bonneville, Caribou, Fremont and Teton Counties. Oregon Northwest Zone--Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Polk, Multnomah, Tillamook, Washington, and Yamhill Counties. Southwest Zone--Coos, Curry, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, and Klamath Counties. East Zone--Baker, Gilliam, Malheur, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, Union and Wasco Counties. Washington Southwest Zone--Clark, Cowlitz, Pacific, and Wahkiakum Counties.

East Zone--Asotin, Benton, Columbia, Garfield, Klickitat, and Whitman Counties. Wyoming 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-Edon Area--Those portions of Sweetwater and Sublette Counties described in State regulations. Teton Area--Those portions of Teton County described in State regulations.

Ducks

Atlantic Flyway

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

Mississippi Flyway

Indiana North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending east from the Illinois border along State Road 18 to U.S. Highway 31, north along U.S. 31 to U.S. 24, east along U.S. 24 to Huntington, then southeast along U.S. 224 to the Ohio border. Ohio River Zone: That portion of the State south of a line extending east from the Illinois border along Interstate Highway 64 to New Albany, east along State Road 62 to State 56, east along State 56 to Vevay, east and north on State 156 along the Ohio River to North Landing, north along State 56 to U.S. Highway 50, then northeast along U.S. 50 to the Ohio border. South Zone: That portion of the State between the North and Ohio River Zone boundaries. Iowa North Zone: That portion of the State north of a line extending east from the Nebraska border along State Highway 175 to State 37, southeast along State 37 to U.S. Highway 59, south along U.S. 59 to Interstate Highway 80, then east along I-80 to the Illinois border. South Zone: The remainder of Iowa.

Central Flyway

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

Pacific Flyway

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

Canada Geese

Michigan North Zone: The Upper Peninsula. Middle Zone: That portion of the Lower Peninsula north of a line beginning at the Wisconsin border in Lake Michigan due west of the mouth of Stony Creek in Oceana County; then due east to, and easterly and southerly along the south shore of, Stony Creek to Scenic Drive, easterly and southerly along Scenic Drive to Stony Lake Road,

easterly along Stony Lake and Garfield Roads to Michigan Highway 20, east along Michigan 20 to U.S. Highway 10 Business Route (BR) in the city of Midland, east along U.S. 10 BR to U.S. 10, east along U.S. 10 to Interstate Highway 75/U.S. Highway 23, north along I-75/U.S. 23 to the U.S. 23 exit at Standish, east along U.S. 23 to Shore Road in Arenac County, east along Shore Road to the tip of Point Lookout, then on a line directly east 10 miles into Saginaw Bay, and from that point on a line directly northeast to the Canada border. South Zone: The remainder of Michigan.

Sandhill Cranes

Central Flyway

Colorado Regular-Season Open Area--The Central Flyway portion of the State except the San Luis Valley (Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Hinsdale, Mineral, Rio Grande and Saguache Counties east of the Continental Divide) and North Park (Jackson County). Kansas Regular Season Open Area--That portion of the State west of a line beginning at the Oklahoma border, north on I-35 to Wichita, north on I- 135 to Salina, and north on U.S. 81 to the Nebraska border. New Mexico 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. Southwest Zone--Sierra, Luna, and Dona Ana Counties. Oklahoma Regular-Season Open Area--That portion of the State west of I-35. Texas Regular-Season Open Area--That portion of the State west of a line from the International Toll Bridge at Brownsville along U.S. 77 to Victoria; U.S. 87 to Placedo; Farm Road 616 to Blessing; State 35 to Alvin; State 6 to U.S. 290; U.S. 290 to Austin; I-35 to the Texas- Oklahoma border. North Dakota Regular-Season Open Area--That portion of the State west of U.S. 281. South Dakota Regular-Season Open Area--That portion of the State west of U.S. 281. Montana Regular-Season Open Area--The Central Flyway portion of the State except that area south of I-90 and west of the Bighorn River. Wyoming Regular-Season Open Area--Campbell, Converse, Crook, Goshen, Laramie, Niobrara, Platte, and Weston Counties. Riverton-Boysen Unit--Portions of Fremont County. Park and Bighorn County Unit--Portions of Park and Bighorn Counties.

Pacific Flyway

Arizona Special-Season Area--Game Management Units 30A, 30B, 31, and 32. Montana Special-Season Area--See State regulations. Utah Special-Season Area--Rich County. Wyoming Bear River Area--That portion of Lincoln County described in State regulations. Salt River Area--That portion of Lincoln County described in State regulations. Eden-Farson Area--Those portions of Sweetwater and Sublette Counties described in State regulations.

All Migratory Game Birds in Alaska

North Zone--State Game Management Units 11-13 and 17-26. Gulf Coast Zone--State Game Management Units 5-7, 9, 14-16, and 10--Unimak Island only. Southeast Zone--State Game Management Units 1-4. Pribilof and Aleutian Islands Zone--State Game Management Unit 10-- except Unimak Island. Kodiak Zone--State Game Management Unit 8.

All Migratory Birds in the Virgin Islands

Ruth Cay Closure Area--The island of Ruth Cay, just south of St. Croix.

All Migratory Birds in Puerto Rico

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 one 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, Cayer, 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 beginning.

[FR Doc. 98-23266 Filed 8-27-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-55-P