[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 93 (Thursday, May 15, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 20600-20618]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office []
[FR Doc No: 2025-08621]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
50 CFR Parts 32 and 71
[Docket No. FWS-HQ-NWRS-2025-0031; FXRS12610900000-256-FF09R20000]
RIN 1018-BI01
National Wildlife Refuge System; 2025-2026 Station-Specific
Hunting and Sport Fishing Regulations
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), propose to
open or expand hunting or sport fishing opportunities on 16 National
Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) stations and 1 National Fish Hatchery
System (NFHS) station. This includes inaugural hunting opportunities at
Southern Maryland Woodlands National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), the newest
addition to the NWRS, and the formal opening of hunting opportunities
at Grasslands Wildlife Management Area (WMA), as well as inaugural
sport fishing at North Attleboro National Fish Hatchery (NFH). These
actions will open or expand 42 opportunities for hunting and fishing
across more than 87,000 acres of Service lands and waters. In addition,
at the request of the State of Minnesota and the White Earth Nation,
Tamarac NWR proposes to end an experimental 5-day early teal hunt where
the refuge overlaps with Tribal land to ensure safety for wild rice
harvesting and to align with State regulations. We also propose to make
administrative changes to existing station-specific regulations to
improve the clarity and accuracy of regulations, reduce the regulatory
burden on the public, and comply with a Presidential mandate for plain-
language standards.
DATES: We will accept comments received or postmarked on or before June
30, 2025.
Information collection requirements: If you wish to comment on the
information collection requirements in this proposal, alongside
proposed revisions and additions to the Code of Federal Regulations
(CFR), please note that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is
required to make a decision concerning the collection of information
contained in this proposal between 30 and 60 days after the date of
publication in the Federal Register. Therefore, comments should be
submitted to the Service Information Collection Clearance Officer, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, (see ``Information collection requirements''
below under ADDRESSES) by July 15, 2025.
ADDRESSES:
Written comments: You may submit comments by one of the following
methods:
Electronically: Go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal:
. In the Search box, type in FWS-HQ-NWRS-
2025-0031, which is the docket number for these proposed revisions and
additions to the CFR. Then, click on the Search button. On the
resulting screen, find the correct document and submit a comment by
clicking on ``Comment.''
By hard copy: Submit by U.S. mail or hand delivery: Public
Comments Processing, Attn: FWS-HQ-NWRS-2025-0031, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS: PRB (JAO/3W), Falls Church,
VA 22041-3803.
We will not accept email or faxes. We will post all comments on
. This generally means that we will post any
personal information you provide us (see Request for Comments, below,
for more information).
Supporting documents: For information on a specific refuge's or
hatchery's public use program and the conditions that apply to it,
contact the respective regional office at the address or phone number
given in Available Information for Specific Stations under
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
Information collection requirements: Send your comments on the
information collection request by mail to the Service Information
Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, by email
to [email protected]; or by mail to 5275 Leesburg Pike, MS: PRB (JAO/
3W), Falls Church, VA 22041-3803. Please reference OMB Control Number
1018-0140 in the subject line of your comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christian Myers, (571) 422-3595.
Please see Docket No. FWS-HQ-NWRS-2025-0031 on for a document that summarizes these proposed
revisions and additions to the CFR.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16
U.S.C. 668dd-668ee), as amended (Administration Act), closes NWRs in
all States except Alaska to all uses until opened. The Secretary of the
Interior (Secretary) may open refuge areas to any use, including
hunting and/or sport
[[Page 20601]]
fishing, upon a determination that the use is compatible with the
purposes of the refuge and National Wildlife Refuge System (Refuge
System) mission. The action also must be in accordance with provisions
of all laws applicable to the areas, developed in coordination with the
appropriate State fish and wildlife agency(ies), consistent with the
principles of sound fish and wildlife management and administration,
and otherwise in the public interest. These requirements ensure that we
maintain the biological integrity, diversity, and environmental health
of the Refuge System for the benefit of present and future generations
of Americans.
We annually review hunting and sport fishing programs to determine
whether to include additional stations or whether individual station
regulations governing existing programs need modifications. Changing
environmental conditions, State and Federal regulations, and other
factors affecting fish and wildlife populations and habitat may warrant
modifications to station-specific regulations to ensure the continued
compatibility of hunting and sport fishing programs and to ensure that
these programs will not materially interfere with or detract from the
fulfillment of station purposes or the Refuge System's mission.
Provisions governing hunting and sport fishing on refuges are in
title 50 of the CFR at part 32 (50 CFR part 32), and on hatcheries at
part 71 (50 CFR part 71). We regulate hunting and sport fishing to:
Ensure compatibility with refuge and hatchery purpose(s);
Properly manage fish and wildlife resource(s);
Protect other values;
Ensure visitor safety; and
Provide opportunities for fish- and wildlife-dependent
recreation.
On many stations where we decide to allow hunting and sport
fishing, our general policy of adopting regulations identical to State
hunting and sport fishing regulations is adequate to meet these
objectives. On other stations, we must supplement State regulations
with more-restrictive Federal regulations to ensure that we meet our
management responsibilities, as outlined under Statutory Authority,
below. We issue station-specific hunting and sport fishing regulations
when we open national wildlife refuges and fish hatcheries to migratory
game bird hunting, upland game hunting, big game hunting, or sport
fishing. These regulations may list the wildlife species that you may
hunt or fish; seasons; bag or creel (container for carrying fish)
limits; methods of hunting or sport fishing; descriptions of areas open
to hunting or sport fishing; and other provisions as appropriate.
Statutory Authority
The Administration Act, as amended by the National Wildlife Refuge
System Improvement Act of 1997 (Improvement Act; Pub. L. 105-57),
governs the administration and public use of refuges, and the Refuge
Recreation Act of 1962 (Recreation Act; 16 U.S.C. 460k-460k-4) governs
the administration and public use of refuges and hatcheries.
Amendments enacted by the Improvement Act were built upon the
Administration Act in a manner that provides an ``organic act'' for the
Refuge System, similar to organic acts that exist for other public
Federal lands. The Improvement Act serves to ensure that we effectively
manage the Refuge System as a national network of lands, waters, and
interests for the protection and conservation of our Nation's wildlife
resources. The Administration Act states first and foremost that we
focus our Refuge System mission on conservation of fish, wildlife, and
plant resources and their habitats. The Improvement Act requires the
Secretary, before allowing a new use of a refuge, or before expanding,
renewing, or extending an existing use of a refuge, to determine that
the use is compatible with the purpose for which the refuge was
established and the mission of the Refuge System. The Improvement Act
established as the policy of the United States that wildlife-dependent
recreation, when compatible, is a legitimate and appropriate public use
of the Refuge System, through which the American public can develop an
appreciation for fish and wildlife. The Improvement Act established six
wildlife-dependent recreational uses as the priority general public
uses of the Refuge System. These uses are hunting, fishing, wildlife
observation and photography, and environmental education and
interpretation.
The Recreation Act authorizes the Secretary to administer areas
within the Refuge System and Hatchery System for public recreation as
an appropriate incidental or secondary use only to the extent that
doing so is practicable and not inconsistent with the primary
purpose(s) for which Congress and the Service established the areas.
The Recreation Act requires that any recreational use of refuge or
hatchery lands be compatible with the primary purpose(s) for which we
established the refuge and not inconsistent with other previously
authorized operations.
The Administration Act and Recreation Act also authorize the
Secretary to issue regulations to carry out the purposes of the Acts
and regulate uses.
We develop specific management plans for each refuge prior to
opening it to hunting or sport fishing. In many cases, we develop
station-specific regulations to ensure the compatibility of the
programs with the purpose(s) for which we established the refuge or
hatchery and the Refuge and Hatchery System mission. We ensure initial
compliance with the Administration Act and the Recreation Act for
hunting and sport fishing on newly acquired land through an interim
determination of compatibility made at or near the time of acquisition.
These regulations ensure that we make the determinations required by
these acts prior to adding refuges or hatcheries to the lists of areas
open to hunting and sport fishing in 50 CFR part 32 or 71,
respectively. We ensure continued compliance by the development of
comprehensive conservation plans and step-down management plans, and by
annual review of hunting and sport fishing programs and regulations.
Proposed Amendments to Existing Regulations
Revisions and Additions to Hunting and Fishing Opportunities on NWRS
Stations
This document proposes to codify in the CFR all the Service's
hunting and/or sport fishing regulations that we would revise or add
since the last time we amended these regulations (89 FR 88147; November
7, 2024) and that are applicable at Refuge System units previously
opened to hunting and/or sport fishing. We propose this to better
inform the general public of the regulations at each station, to
increase understanding and compliance with these regulations, and to
make enforcement of these regulations more efficient. The Service has
strived to align with State hunting and fishing regulations; for
example, modifications in 2019 removed or simplified thousands of
regulations to reduce the regulatory burden on the public (84 FR 47641;
September 10, 2019). The Service is committed to continuing to align
with State regulations with respect to the use of ammunition and/or
fishing tackle in future amendments. In addition to finding these
regulations in 50 CFR parts 32 and 71, visitors to our stations may
find them reiterated in literature distributed by each station or
posted on signs.
[[Page 20602]]
Table 1--Proposed Changes for 2025-2026 Hunting/Sport Fishing Season
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Migratory bird
Station State hunting Upland game hunting Big game hunting Sport fishing
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Black Coulee NWR................. Montana................... O.................. Already Open....... Already Open....... Already Closed.
Bowdoin NWR...................... Montana................... O.................. Already Open....... Already Closed..... Already Closed.
Buffalo Lake NWR................. Texas..................... Already Open....... Already Open....... E.................. Already Closed.
Creedman Coulee NWR.............. Montana................... O.................. Already Open....... Already Open....... Already Closed.
Eufaula NWR...................... Alabama................... Already Open....... E.................. Already Open....... Already Open.
Grasslands WMA *................. California................ O.................. O.................. Already Closed..... Already Closed.
Grays Lake NWR................... Idaho..................... E.................. Already Closed..... Already Closed..... Already Closed.
Hewitt Lake NWR.................. Montana................... O.................. Already Open....... Already Open....... Already Closed.
Laguna Atascosa NWR.............. Texas..................... Already Closed..... Already Closed..... E.................. Already Open.
Lake Thibadeau NWR............... Montana................... O.................. Already Open....... Already Open....... Already Closed.
Moosehorn NWR.................... Maine..................... Already Open....... Already Open....... O.................. Already Open.
North Attleboro NFH.............. Massachusetts............. Already Closed..... Already Closed..... Already Closed..... N.
Pocosin Lakes NWR................ North Carolina............ Already Open....... Already Open....... O.................. Already Open.
San Luis NWR..................... California................ E.................. Already Open....... Already Closed..... Already Open.
Shiawassee NWR................... Michigan.................. E.................. Already Open....... Already Open....... Already Open.
Southern Maryland Woodlands NWR.. Maryland.................. Already Closed..... Already Closed..... N.................. Already Closed.
Tamarac NWR...................... Minnesota................. PC................. Already Open....... Already Open....... Already Open.
Willapa NWR...................... Washington................ E.................. Already Open....... E.................. Already Open.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Key:
N = New station opened for the first time.
O = Opening (New species and/or new activity on a station previously open to other activities).
E = Expansion (Station is already open to the activity: the proposed rule would add new lands/waters, modify areas open to hunting or fishing, extend
season dates, add a targeted hunt, modify season dates, modify hunting hours, etc.).
PC = Partial closing (A portion of the acres and/or subset of the species are being closed to hunting).
* We consider the changes at Grasslands WMA to be formal openings, rather than opening hunting for the first time. This is because these formal openings
reflect existing hunts on Grasslands WMA that were opened and administered under the hunt plan for San Luis NWR, an adjacent station within the same
complex. These formal openings will result in a new opportunity by expanding snipe hunting to additional acres, but the openings are largely an
administrative change intended to provide greater clarity to the hunting public. This is why, for Grasslands WMA's migratory bird and upland game
hunting, we use the designation `O' rather than `N' in this table.
The changes for the 2025-2026 hunting/fishing season noted in the
table above are each based on a complete administrative record which,
among other detailed documentation, also includes a hunt plan, a
compatibility determination (for refuges), and the appropriate National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) analysis, all
of which were the subject of a public review and comment process. These
documents are available upon request.
Through these openings and expansions, we are proposing to open or
expand hunting or fishing on 87,626 acres within the National Wildlife
Refuge System and the National Fish Hatchery System.
Refuge Name Change
On March 4, 2025, Executive Order (E.O.) 14229 renamed the Anahuac
NWR to honor Jocelyn Nungaray. We are proposing a revision for the
Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge that reflects the name
change.
Fish Advisory
For health reasons, anglers should review and follow State-issued
consumption advisories before enjoying recreational sport fishing
opportunities on Service-managed waters. You can find information about
current fish-consumption advisories on the internet at .
Request for Comments
You may submit comments and materials on these proposed revisions
and additions to the CFR by one of the methods listed in ADDRESSES. We
will not accept comments sent by email or fax or to an address not
listed in ADDRESSES. We will not consider hand-delivered comments that
we do not receive, or mailed comments that are not postmarked, by the
date specified in DATES.
We will post your entire comment on .
Before including personal identifying information in your comment, you
should be aware that we may make your entire comment--including your
personal identifying information--publicly available at any time. While
you can ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be
able to do so. We will post all hardcopy comments on .
Required Determinations
Clarity of the Proposed Rule
We are required by E.O.s 12866 and 12988 and by the Presidential
memorandum of June 1, 1998, to write all rules in plain language. This
means that each rule we publish must:
(a) Be logically organized;
(b) Use the active voice to address readers directly;
(c) Use clear language rather than jargon;
(d) Be divided into short sections and sentences; and
(e) Use lists and tables wherever possible.
If you feel that we have not met these requirements, send us
comments by one of the methods listed in ADDRESSES. To better help us
revise our proposed revisions and additions to the CFR, your comments
should be as specific as possible. For example, you should tell us the
numbers of the sections or paragraphs that are unclearly written, which
sections or sentences are too long, the sections where you feel lists
or tables would be useful, etc.
Regulatory Planning and Review--E.O.s 12866 and 13563
E.O. 12866 provides that the Office of Information and Regulatory
Affairs (OIRA) in the OMB will review all significant rules. OIRA has
determined that these proposed revisions and additions to the CFR
collectively are not significant.
E.O. 13563 reaffirms the principles of E.O. 12866 while calling for
improvements in the Nation's regulatory system to promote
predictability, to
[[Page 20603]]
reduce uncertainty, and to use the best, most innovative, and least
burdensome tools for achieving regulatory ends. E.O. 13563 directs
agencies to consider regulatory approaches that reduce burdens and
maintain flexibility and freedom of choice for the public where these
approaches are relevant, feasible, and consistent with regulatory
objectives. E.O. 13563 emphasizes further that regulations must be
based on the best available science and that the rulemaking process
must allow for public participation and an open exchange of ideas. We
have developed these proposed revisions and additions to the CFR in a
manner consistent with these requirements.
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.)
Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA; 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.),
as amended by the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of
1996 (SBREFA; title II of Pub. L. 104-121, March 29, 1996), whenever a
Federal agency is required to publish a notice of rulemaking for any
proposed or final rule, it must prepare and make available for public
comment a regulatory flexibility analysis that describes the effect of
the rule on small entities (i.e., small businesses, small
organizations, and small government jurisdictions). However, no
regulatory flexibility analysis is required if the head of an agency
certifies that the rule will not have a significant economic impact on
a substantial number of small entities. Thus, for a regulatory
flexibility analysis to be required, impacts must exceed a threshold
for ``significant impact'' and a threshold for a ``substantial number
of small entities.'' See 5 U.S.C. 605(b). SBREFA amended the RFA to
require Federal agencies to provide a statement of the factual basis
for certifying that a rule will not have a significant economic impact
on a substantial number of small entities. We certify that, if adopted
as proposed, this proposed rule would not have a significant economic
impact on a substantial number of small entities. The following
discussion explains our rationale.
The proposed revisions and additions to the CFR would open or
expand hunting or fishing on 17 stations. As a result, visitor use for
wildlife-dependent recreation on these stations will change. If the
stations establishing new programs were a pure addition to the current
supply of those activities, it would mean an estimated maximum increase
of 189 user days (one person per day participating in a recreational
opportunity; see table 2). Because the participation trend is flat in
these activities, this increase in supply will most likely be offset by
other sites losing participants. Therefore, this is likely to be a
substitute site for the activity and not necessarily an increase in
participation rates for the activity.
Table 2--Estimated Maximum Change in Recreation Opportunities in 2025-2026
[2024 Dollars in thousands]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additional Additional Additional
Station hunting days fishing days expenditures
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Black Coulee NWR................................................ 0 .............. $0
Bowdoin NWR..................................................... 0 .............. 0
Buffalo Lake NWR................................................ 20 .............. 1
Creedman Coulee NWR............................................. 0 .............. 0
Eufaula NWR..................................................... 0 .............. 0
Grasslands WMA.................................................. 0 .............. 0
Grays Lake NWR.................................................. 0 .............. 0
Hewitt Lake NWR................................................. 0 .............. 0
Laguna Atascosa NWR............................................. 0 .............. 0
Lake Thibadeau NWR.............................................. 0 .............. 0
Moosehorn NWR................................................... 2 .............. <1
North Attleboro NFH............................................. .............. 156 5
Pocosin Lakes NWR............................................... 7 .............. <1
San Luis NWR.................................................... 0 .............. 0
Shiawassee NWR.................................................. 2 .............. <1
Southern Maryland Woodlands NWR................................. 2 .............. <1
Willapa NWR..................................................... 0 .............. 0
-----------------------------------------------
Total....................................................... 33 156 6
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To the extent visitors spend time and money in the area of the
station that they would not have spent there anyway, they contribute
new income to the regional economy and benefit local businesses. Due to
the unavailability of site-specific expenditure data, we use the
national estimates from the 2022 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting,
and Wildlife Associated Recreation to identify expenditures for food
and lodging, transportation, and other incidental expenses. Using the
average expenditures for these categories with the maximum expected
additional participation of the Refuge System yields approximately
$6,000 in recreation-related expenditures (see table 2, above). By
having ripple effects throughout the economy, these direct expenditures
are only part of the economic impact of these recreational activities.
Using a national impact multiplier for hunting activities (2.4) derived
from the report ``Hunting in America: An Economic Force for
Conservation'' and for fishing activities (2.3) derived from the report
``Sportfishing in America'' yields a total maximum economic impact of
approximately $14,000 (2024 dollars) (Southwick Associates, Inc.,
2024).
Since we know that most of the fishing and hunting occurs within
100 miles of a participant's residence, it is unlikely that most of
this spending will be ``new'' money coming into a local economy;
therefore, this spending will be offset with a decrease in some other
sector of the local economy. The net gain to the local economies will
be no more than $14,000 and likely less. Since 80 percent of the
participants travel less than 100 miles to engage in hunting and
fishing activities, their spending patterns will not add new money into
the local economy, and, therefore, the
[[Page 20604]]
real impact will be on the order of about $3,000 annually.
Small businesses within the retail trade industry (such as hotels,
gas stations, taxidermy shops, bait-and-tackle shops, and similar
businesses) may be affected by some increased or decreased station
visitation. A large percentage of these retail trade establishments in
the local communities around NWRs qualify as small businesses (see
table 3, below). We expect that the incremental recreational changes
will be scattered, and so we do not expect that the rule will have a
significant economic effect on a substantial number of small entities
in any region or nationally. As noted previously, we expect at most
$14,000 to be spent in total in the stations' local economies. The
maximum increase will be less than one-tenth of one percent for local
retail trade spending (see table 3, below). Table 3 does not include
entries for those stations for which we project no changes in
recreation opportunities in 2025-2026; see table 2, above.
Table 3--Comparative Expenditures for Retail Trade Associated With Additional Station Visitation for 2025-2026
[Thousands, 2024 dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated
maximum Addition Establishments
Station & county(ies) Retail trade addition as % of Establishments with fewer than
in 2017 \1\ from new total in 2017 \1\ 10 employees in
activities 2017
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Buffalo Lake NWR:
Randall, TX..................... $2,340,561 <$1 <0.1 351 237
Moosehorn NWR:
Washington, ME.................. 516,503 <1 <0.1 141 88
North Attleboro NFH:
Bristol, MA..................... 11,953,854 5 <0.1 2,147 1,439
Pocosin Lakes NWR:
Hyde, NC........................ 36,521 <1 <0.1 41 38
Tyrrell, NC..................... 43,816 <1 <0.1 20 17
Washington, NC.................. 120,827 <1 <0.1 46 35
Shiawassee NWR:
Saginaw, MI..................... 4,019,898 <1 <0.1 825 528
Southern Maryland Woodlands NWR:
Anne Arundel, MD................ 11,736,536 <1 <0.1 1,984 1,216
Calvert, MD..................... 1,166,179 <1 <0.1 204 137
Charles, MD..................... 2,882,128 <1 <0.1 479 281
Prince George's, MD............. 13,034,013 <1 <0.1 2,361 1,482
St. Mary's, MD.................. 1,703,425 <1 <0.1 294 172
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ U.S. Census Bureau.
With the small change in overall spending anticipated from this
proposed rule, it is unlikely that a substantial number of small
entities will have more than a small impact from the spending change
near the affected stations. Therefore, we certify that this rule, as
proposed, will not have a significant economic effect on a substantial
number of small entities as defined under the Regulatory Flexibility
Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.). A regulatory flexibility analysis is not
required. Accordingly, a small entity compliance guide is not required.
Congressional Review Act
The proposed revisions and additions to the CFR, collectively, are
not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804(2), the Congressional Review Act.
We anticipate no significant employment or small business effects.
Collectively, the proposed revisions and additions to the CFR:
a. Would not have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million
or more. The minimal impact would be scattered across the country and
would most likely not be significant in any local area.
b. Would not cause a major increase in costs or prices for
consumers; individual industries; Federal, State, or local government
agencies; or geographic regions. The proposed opportunities would have
only a slight effect on the costs of hunting opportunities for
Americans. If the substitute sites are farther from the participants'
residences, then an increase in travel costs would occur. The Service
does not have information to quantify this change in travel cost but
assumes that, since most people travel less than 100 miles to hunt, the
increased travel cost would be small. We do not expect the proposed
hunting opportunities to affect the supply or demand for hunting
opportunities in the United States, and, therefore, it should not
affect prices for hunting equipment and supplies, or the retailers that
sell equipment.
c. Would not have significant adverse effects on competition,
employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of
U.S.-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises. The
proposed additions and revisions to existing opportunities represent
only a small proportion of recreational spending at NWRs. Therefore, if
adopted, the proposed additions and revisions to the CFR would have no
measurable economic effect on the wildlife-dependent industry, which
has annual sales of equipment and travel expenditures of $72 billion
nationwide.
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.)
Since the proposed revisions and additions to the CFR would apply
to public use of federally owned and managed refuges, it would not
impose an unfunded mandate on State, local, or Tribal governments or
the private sector of more than $100 million per year. The proposed
revisions and additions to the CFR would not have a significant or
unique effect on State, local, or Tribal governments or the private
sector. A statement containing the information required by the Unfunded
Mandates Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) is not required.
Takings--E.O. 12630
In accordance with E.O. 12630, the proposed revisions and additions
to the
[[Page 20605]]
CFR would not have significant takings implications. The proposed
revisions and additions to the CFR would affect only visitors to NWRs
and NFHs and would describe what they can do while they are on a
Service station.
Federalism--E.O. 13132
As discussed under Regulatory Planning and Review and Unfunded
Mandates Reform Act, above, the proposed revisions and additions to the
CFR would not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the
preparation of a federalism summary impact statement under E.O. 13132.
In preparing these proposed revisions and additions to the CFR, we
worked with State governments.
Civil Justice Reform--E.O. 12988
In accordance with E.O. 12988, the Department of the Interior has
determined that these proposed revisions and additions to the CFR would
not unduly burden the judicial system and that it meets the
requirements of sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of E.O. 12988 (Civil Justice
Reform).
Energy Supply, Distribution or Use--E.O. 13211
On May 18, 2001, the President issued E.O. 13211 on regulations
that significantly affect energy supply, distribution, or use. E.O.
13211 requires agencies to prepare statements of energy effects when
undertaking certain actions. Because the proposed revisions and
additions to the CFR would open or expand hunting at 17 NWRS and NFHS
stations, the proposed revisions and additions to the CFR are not
collectively a significant regulatory action under E.O. 12866, and we
do not expect it to significantly affect energy supplies, distribution,
or use. Therefore, this action is not a significant energy action, and
no statement of energy effects is required.
Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal Governments--E.O.
13175
In accordance with E.O. 13175, we have evaluated possible effects
on federally recognized Indian Tribes and have determined that there
are no effects. We coordinate recreational use on NWRs and NFHs with
Tribal governments having adjoining or overlapping jurisdiction before
we propose the regulations.
Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation--E.O. 14192
The proposed revisions and additions to the CFR are not an E.O.
14192 (90 FR 9065; February 6, 2025) regulatory action because the
proposed revisions and additions to the CFR are not significant under
E.O. 12866.
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.)
The proposal for revisions and additions to the CFR also contains
existing and new collections of information. All information
collections require approval by the OMB under the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). An agency may not conduct or
sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of
information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.
The OMB has reviewed and approved the information collection
requirements associated with hunting and sport fishing activities
across the National Wildlife Refuge System and National Fish Hatchery
System and assigned the following OMB control numbers:
1018-0140, ``Hunting and Sport Fishing Application Forms
and Activity Reports for National Wildlife Refuges, 50 CFR 25.41,
25.43, 25.51, 26.32, 26.33, 27.42, 30.11, 31.15, 32.1 to 32.72''
(Expires 09/30/2025),
1018-0102, ``National Wildlife Refuge Special Use Permit
Applications and Reports, 50 CFR 25, 26, 27, 29, 30, 31, 32, & 36''
(Expires 05/31/2025, and in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.10, an agency
may continue to conduct or sponsor this collection of information while
the submission is pending at OMB),
1018-0135, ``Electronic Federal Duck Stamp Program''
(Expires 03/31/2026),
1018-0093, ``Federal Fish and Wildlife Permit Applications
and Reports--Management Authority; 50 CFR 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23''
(Expires 12/31/2026), and
1024-0252, ``The Interagency Access Pass and Senior Pass
Application Processes'' (Expires 10/31/2027).
In accordance with the PRA and its implementing regulations at 5
CFR 1320.8(d)(1), we provide the general public and other Federal
agencies with an opportunity to comment on our proposal to revise OMB
Control Number 1018-0140. This input will help us assess the impact of
our information collection requirements and minimize the public's
reporting burden. It will also help the public understand our
information collection requirements and provide the requested data in
the desired format.
As part of our continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent
burdens, and in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1), we invite the
public and other Federal agencies to comment on any aspect of this
proposed information collection, including:
(1) Whether or not the collection of information is necessary for
the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including
whether or not the information will have practical utility;
(2) The accuracy of our estimate of the burden for this collection
of information, including the validity of the methodology and
assumptions used;
(3) Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and
(4) Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection
techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting
electronic submission of response.
Comments that you submit in response to the proposed revisions and
additions to the CFR are a matter of public record. Before including
your address, phone number, email address, or other personal
identifying information in your comment, you should be aware that your
entire comment--including your personal identifying information--may be
made publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your
comment to withhold your personal identifying information from public
review, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
The existing and new reporting and/or recordkeeping requirements
identified below require approval by OMB:
FORM 3-2358, ``SPORT FISHING-SHRIMPING-CRABBING PERMIT
APPLICATION''--Form 3-2358 collects the following information:
Date of application: We often have application deadlines,
and this information helps staff determine the order in which we
received the applications. It also ensures that the information is
current.
State fishing license number: We ask for this information
to verify the applicant is legally licensed by the State (where
required).
Permit type: On sport fishing permits, we ask what type of
activity (crabbing, shrimping, crabbing, frogging, etc.) is being
applied for.
Applicant information: We collect name, address, phone
number(s), and email so we can contact the applicant/permittee either
during the application process or after receiving a permit.
Signature and date: To confirm that the applicant (and
parent/guardian, if a
[[Page 20606]]
youth hunter) understands the terms and conditions of the permit.
FORM 3-2405 ``SELF-CLEARING CHECK-IN/OUT PERMIT''--Form 3-2405 has
three parts:
Self-Clearing Daily Check-in Permit. Each user completes
this portion of the form (date of visit, name, and telephone numbers)
and deposits it in the permit box prior to engaging in any activity on
the refuge.
Self-Clearing Daily Visitor Registration Permit. Each user
must complete the front side of the form (date, name, city, State, zip
code, and purpose of visit) and carry this portion while on the refuge.
At the completion of the visit, each user must complete the reverse
side of the form (number of hours on refuge, harvest information
(species and number), harvest method, angler information (species and
number), and wildlife sighted (e.g., black bear and hog)) and deposit
it in the permit box.
Self-Clearing Daily Vehicle Permit. The driver and each
user traveling in the vehicle must complete this part and display in
clear view in the vehicle while on the refuge.
Form 3-2405 collects:
Information on the visitor (name, address, and contact
information). We use this information to identify the visitor or
driver/passenger of a vehicle while on the refuge. This is extremely
valuable information should visitors become lost or injured. Law
enforcement officers can easily check vehicles for these cards in order
to determine a starting point for the search or to contact family
members in the event of an abandoned vehicle. Having this information
readily available is critical in a search and rescue situation.
Purpose of visit (hunting, sport fishing, wildlife
observation, wildlife photography, auto touring, birding, hiking,
boating/canoeing, visitor center, special event, environmental
education class, volunteering, other recreation). This information is
critical in determining public use participation in wildlife management
programs. This not only allows the refuge to manage its hunt and other
visitor use programs, but also to increase and/or improve facilities
for non-consumptive uses that are becoming more popular on refuges.
Data collected will also help managers better allocate staff and
resources to serve the public as well as develop annual performance
measures.
Total number of hunt days on the refuge (at the conclusion
of their hunting activities). Refuge management will use this
information to monitor and evaluate hunt quality and resource impacts.
Success of harvest by hunters/anglers (number and type of
harvest/caught). This information is critical to wildlife management
programs on refuges. Each refuge will customize the form by listing
game species and incidental species available on the refuge, hunting
methods allowed, and data needed for certain species (e.g., for deer,
whether it's a buck or doe and the number of points; or for turkeys,
the weight and beard and spur lengths).
Whether or not visitors observed black bear or hogs, for
example. This information will help managers develop annual performance
measures for hog removal, and it provides information to help develop
resource management planning.
Photograph of animal harvested (specific refuges only).
This requirement documents the sex of animal prior to the hunter being
eligible to harvest the opposite sex (where allowed).
Date of visit and/or area visited.
Comments. We encourage visitors to comment on their
experience.
FORM 3-2439, ``HUNTING APPLICATION/PERMIT''--Form 3-2439 collects
the following information:
Lottery application: Refuges who administer hunting via a
lottery system use Form 3-2439 as the lottery application. If the
applicant is successful, the completed Form 3-2439 also serves as their
permit application, avoiding a duplication of burden on the public
filling out two separate forms.
Date of application: We often have application deadlines,
and this information helps staff determine the order in which we
received the applications. It also ensures that the information is
current.
Methods: Some refuges hold multiple types of hunts, i.e.,
archery, shotgun, primitive weapons, etc. We ask for this information
to identify which opportunity(ies) a hunter is applying for.
Species permit type: Some refuges allow only certain
species, such as moose, elk, or bighorn sheep, to be hunted. We ask
hunters to identify which species hunt they are applying for.
Applicant information: We collect name, address, phone
number(s), and email so we can contact the applicant/permittee either
during the application process, when the applicant is successful in a
lottery drawing, or after receiving a permit.
Party members: Some refuges allow the permit applicant to
include additional hunters in their group. We collect the names of all
additional hunters, when allowed by the refuge.
Parent/Guardian contact information: We collect name,
relationship, address, phone number(s), and email for a parent/guardian
of youth hunters. We ask for this information in the event of an
emergency.
Date: We ask hunters for their preferences for hunt dates.
Hunt/Blind location: We ask hunters for their preferences
for hunt units, areas, or blinds.
Special hunts: Some refuges hold special hunts for youth,
hunters who are disabled, or other underserved populations. We ask
hunters to identify if they are applying for these special hunts. For
youth hunts, we ask for the age of the hunter at the time of the hunt.
Signature and date: To confirm that the applicant (and
parent/guardian, if a youth hunter) understands the terms and
conditions of the permit.
Disabled hunts: Some refuges provide an option to allow
mobility-impaired applicants to reserve specific hunting blinds upon
providing proof of disability. The refuge will not retain the proof of
disability. The documentation will be shredded upon approval of the
blind reservation.
FORM 3-2542, ``HUNTER HARVEST REPORT''--Form 3-2542 collects the
following information:
State-issued hunter identification (ID)/license number.
(Note: Refuges/hatcheries who rely on the State agency to issue hunting
permits are not required to collect the permittee's personal
identifying information (PII) on the harvest form. Those refuges/
hatcheries may opt to collect only the State ID number assigned to the
hunter in order to match harvest data with their issued permit.
Refuges/hatcheries will collect either hunter PII or State-issued ID
number, but not both.)
Species observed--Data will be used by refuge/hatchery
staff to document the presence of rare or unusual species.
Permit number/type--Data will be used to link the harvest
report to the issued permit.
Hunt tag number--Data will be used to link the harvest
report to the species-specific hunt tag.
Number of youth (younger than age 18) in party--Data will
be used to better understand volume of youth hunting on a refuge/
hatchery. Specific hunter names are not collected, just total number of
youths in hunting party.
Harvested by--Data will be used to determine ratio of
adults to youth hunters. Specific hunter names are not collected.
Species observed--Data will be used by a refuge/hatchery
to determine the presence of any unusual species
[[Page 20607]]
(e.g., endangered or threatened species, or invasive species).
LABELING/MARKING REQUIREMENTS--As a condition of the permit, some
refuges require permittees to label hunting and/or sport fishing gear
used on the refuge. This equipment may include items such as the
following: tree stands, blinds, or game cameras; hunting dogs
(collars); flagging/trail markers; boats; and/or sport fishing
equipment such as jugs, trotlines, and crawfish or crab traps. Refuges
require the owner label their equipment with their last name, the
State-issued hunting/fishing license number, and/or hunting/fishing
permit number. Refuges may also require equipment for youth hunters
include ``YOUTH'' on the label. This minimal information is necessary
in the event the refuge needs to contact the owner.
REQUIRED NOTIFICATIONS--On occasion, hunters may find their game
has landed outside of established hunting boundaries. In this
situation, hunters must notify an authorized refuge employee to obtain
consent to retrieve the game from an area closed to hunting or entry
only upon specific consent. Certain refuges also require hunters to
notify the refuge manager when hunting specific species (e.g., black
bear, bobcat, or eastern coyote) with trailing dogs. Refuges
encompassing privately owned lands, referred to as ``easement overlay
refuges,'' may also require the hunter obtain written or oral
permission from the landowner prior to accessing the land.
PROPOSED REVISIONS--With this submission, we are proposing three
revisions to OMB Control No. 1018-0140 as described below:
1. Updates to Form 3-2439, ``Hunting Application/Permit''--With the
submission, we propose to incorporate the fields listed below from the
Mentored Hunt Application (no form number assigned), which is currently
approved under OMB Control No. 1018-0191, Lenape NWR Complex Mentored
Hunt Application, into the currently approved Form 3-2439, ``Hunting
Application/Permit.'' The Service requires all mentored hunt
participants to sign the Service's ``USFWS Release and Waiver of
Liability,'' as well as a Form 3-2260, ``Agreement for Use of Likeness
in Audio/Visual Products,'' when they are on the Refuge.
Emergency contact (name and phone number);
Applicant hunting history, such as:
Whether applicant has completed a basic hunter education
course;
Whether applicant has purchased a hunting license, and if
yes, when;
Previous hunting experience;
Previous participation in a mentored hunt program;
Interest in hunting;
Family history of hunting;
Whether applicant owns equipment and if yes, type of
equipment; and
Medical conditions/allergies for program staff to be aware
of in the event of an emergency.
The information collected via the application will be used by the
Service and partners to determine eligibility for the program the
hunter applies to participate in. Upon OMB approval of this revision at
the final rule stage, we will discontinue OMB Control No. 1018-0191.
2. Update Regarding Terms of Clearance--With this submission, we
are also providing OMB with an update regarding the Terms of Clearance
they assigned to Control Number 1018-0140 on 09/16/2022 regarding the
implementation of a single, FedRAMP-certified platform for hunt
applications. The Service obtained FedRAMP authorization for the
RecAccess platform. We are also working with a contractor to improve
services on the platform. However, based on customer
experience analysis, a mandate to consolidate to one platform would
adversely affect the customer experience at some sites that offer free
opportunities to veterans and youth. It would also create a problem for
some refuges that charge for issued permits, not for each permit
application. The use of two platforms allows the Service to account for
the variability in fee models and to continue to offer free and low-
cost options to our customers, as the Service primarily uses permits to
limit use, not to generate fees.
3. New IC for Web-Based Permit Application Platforms--With this
submission, we are also splitting the previously approved burden
associated with hunting applications into separate information
collections for hardcopy permit applications and those that are web-
based permit applications on the and
platforms. The online systems do not collect any information above what
is currently approved to be collected via the hardcopy version of Form
3-2439.
Copies of the draft forms are available to the public by submitting
a request to the Service Information Collection Clearance Officer using
one of the methods identified above in ADDRESSES.
Title of Collection: Hunting and Fishing Application Forms and
Activity Reports for National Wildlife Refuges and National Fish
Hatcheries (50 CFR parts 32 and 71).
OMB Control Number: 1018-0140.
Form Numbers: 3-2348, 3-2405, 3-2439, and 3-2542.
Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
Respondents/Affected Public: Individuals/households.
Total Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: 1,632,055.
Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 1,632,055.
Estimated Completion Time per Response: Varies from 5 minutes to 30
minutes, depending on activity.
Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 265,117.
Respondent's Obligation: Required to obtain or retain a benefit.
Frequency of Collection: On occasion for applications; annually or
on occasion for reports.
Total Estimated Annual Non-Hour Burden Cost: $87,365 (primarily
associated with application fees at some refuges hunting and/or sport
fishing).
Send your written comments and suggestions on this information
collection by the date indicated in DATES to the Service Information
Collection Clearance Officer, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, MS: PRB/
PERMA (JAO), 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041-3803 (mail); or
by email to [email protected]. Please reference OMB Control Number
1018-0140 in the subject line of your comments.
Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.)
We comply with section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
amended (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), when developing comprehensive
conservation plans and step-down management plans--which includes
hunting and/or fishing plans--for public use of refuges and hatcheries,
and prior to implementing any new or revised public recreation program
on a station as identified in 50 CFR 26.32. We complied with section 7
for each of the stations affected by this proposed rulemaking.
National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.)
We analyzed this proposed rule in accordance with the criteria of
the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4332(C))
and 516 Departmental Manual (DM) 8.
A categorical exclusion from NEPA documentation applies to
publication of proposed amendments to station-specific hunting and
fishing regulations because they are technical and procedural in
nature, and the environmental effects are too broad, speculative, or
conjectural to lend
[[Page 20608]]
themselves to meaningful analysis (516 DM 8). Concerning the actions
that are the subject of these proposed additions and revisions, we have
complied with NEPA at the project level when developing each proposal.
This is consistent with the Department of the Interior instructions for
compliance with NEPA where actions are covered sufficiently by an
earlier environmental document.
Prior to the addition of a refuge or hatchery to the list of areas
open to hunting and fishing in 50 CFR parts 32 and 71, we develop
hunting and fishing plans for the affected stations. We incorporate
these proposed station hunting and fishing activities in the station
comprehensive conservation plan and/or other step-down management
plans, pursuant to our refuge planning guidance in 602 Fish and
Wildlife Service Manual (FW) 1, 3, and 4. We prepare these
comprehensive conservation plans and step-down plans in compliance with
section 102(2)(C) of NEPA and the Department of Interior's NEPA
regulations at 43 CFR part 46. We invite the affected public to
participate in the review, development, and implementation of these
plans. Copies of all plans and NEPA compliance are available from the
stations at the addresses provided below.
Available Information for Specific Stations
Individual refuge and hatchery headquarters have information about
public use programs and conditions that apply to their specific
programs and maps of their respective areas. To find out how to contact
a specific refuge or hatchery, contact the appropriate Service office
for the States and Territories listed below:
Hawaii, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Regional Chief, National
Wildlife Refuge System, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Eastside
Federal Complex, Suite 1692, 911 NE 11th Avenue, Portland, OR 97232-
4181; Telephone (503) 231-6203.
Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Regional Chief, National
Wildlife Refuge System, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 1306,
500 Gold Avenue SW, Albuquerque, NM 87103; Telephone (505) 248-6635.
Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and
Wisconsin. Regional Chief, National Wildlife Refuge System, U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, 5600 American Blvd. West, Suite 990, Bloomington,
MN 55437-1458; Telephone (612) 713-5476.
Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana,
Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Puerto Rico,
and the Virgin Islands. Regional Chief, National Wildlife Refuge
System, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1875 Century Boulevard,
Atlanta, GA 30345; Telephone (404) 679-7356.
Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland,
Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode
Island, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia. Regional Chief, National
Wildlife Refuge System, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 300 Westgate
Center Drive, Hadley, MA 01035-9589; Telephone (413) 253-8307.
Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota,
Utah, and Wyoming. Regional Chief, National Wildlife Refuge System,
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 134 Union Blvd., Lakewood, CO 80228;
Telephone (303) 236-4377.
Alaska. Regional Chief, National Wildlife Refuge System, U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service, 1011 E Tudor Rd., Anchorage, AK 99503; Telephone
(907) 786-3545.
California and Nevada. Regional Chief, National Wildlife Refuge
System, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2800 Cottage Way, Room W-2606,
Sacramento, CA 95825; Telephone (916) 767-9241.
Primary Author
Christian Myers, Division of Natural Resources and Conservation
Planning, National Wildlife Refuge System, is the primary author of
this document.
Proposed Regulation Summary Table
The regulatory amendments set forth below are presented alongside
existing station-specific regulations that have not been amended. For a
table that provides additional clarity on which specific regulatory
provisions have been amended, please see Docket No. FWS-HQ-NWRS-2025-
0031 on for a separate document containing
a table that provides additional clarity on which specific regulatory
provisions have been amended and how they have been amended.
List of Subjects
50 CFR Part 32
Fishing, Hunting, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements,
Wildlife, Wildlife refuges.
50 CFR Part 71
Fish, Fishing, Hunting, Wildlife.
Proposed Regulation Promulgation
For the reasons described in the preamble, we propose to amend
title 50, chapter I, subchapters C and E of the CFR as set forth below:
SUBCHAPTER C--THE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM
PART 32--HUNTING AND FISHING
0
1. The authority citation for part 32 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 16 U.S.C. 460k, 664, 668dd-668ee, and
715i; Pub. L. 115-20, 131 Stat. 86.
0
2. Amend Sec. 32.7 by revising and republishing paragraphs (e), (t),
and (qq) to read as follows:
Sec. 32.7 What refuge units are open to hunting and/or sport
fishing?
* * * * *
(e) California. (1) Cibola National Wildlife Refuge.
(2) Clear Lake National Wildlife Refuge.
(3) Colusa National Wildlife Refuge.
(4) Delevan National Wildlife Refuge.
(5) Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
(6) Grasslands Wildlife Management Area.
(7) Havasu National Wildlife Refuge.
(8) Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
(9) Imperial National Wildlife Refuge.
(10) Kern National Wildlife Refuge.
(11) Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge.
(12) Marin Islands National Wildlife Refuge.
(13) Merced National Wildlife Refuge.
(14) Modoc National Wildlife Refuge.
(15) Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge.
(16) Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge.
(17) Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge.
(18) San Diego National Wildlife Refuge.
(19) San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
(20) San Luis National Wildlife Refuge.
(21) San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
(22) Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge.
(23) Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge.
(24) Sutter National Wildlife Refuge.
(25) Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge.
* * * * *
(t) Maryland. (1) Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge.
(2) Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge.
(3) Patuxent Research Refuge.
(4) Southern Maryland Woodlands National Wildlife Refuge.
* * * * *
[[Page 20609]]
(qq) Texas. (1) Aransas National Wildlife Refuge.
(2) Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge.
(3) Big Boggy National Wildlife Refuge.
(4) Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge.
(5) Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge.
(6) Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge.
(7) Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge.
(8) Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge.
(9) Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge.
(10) Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge.
(11) McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge.
(12) Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge.
(13) Neches River National Wildlife Refuge.
(14) San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge.
(15) Texas Point National Wildlife Refuge.
(16) Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge.
* * * * *
0
3. Amend Sec. 32.20 by revising and republishing paragraph (d) to read
as follows:
Sec. 32.20 Alabama.
* * * * *
(d) Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge--(1) Migratory game bird
hunting. We allow hunting of mourning dove and Eurasian-collared dove,
duck, and goose on designated areas of the refuge subject to the
following conditions:
(i) You must possess and carry a signed refuge hunt permit (signed
brochure) when hunting.
(ii) All youth hunters (ages 10 through 15) must remain within
sight and normal voice contact of a properly licensed hunting adult age
21 or older. Youth hunters must possess and carry verification of
passing a State-approved hunter education course. One adult may
supervise no more than two youth hunters.
(iii) All waterfowl hunting opportunities are spaced-blind and
assigned by lottery. Hunters wishing to participate in our waterfowl
hunt must submit a Waterfowl Lottery Application (FWS Form 3-2439, Hunt
Application--National Wildlife Refuge System).
(iv) Hunters must remove all stands/blinds and other personal
property at the end of each day's hunt (see Sec. 27.93 of this
chapter).
(v) We allow access to the refuge for hunting from 1\1/2\ hours
before legal sunrise to 1\1/2\ hours after legal sunset.
(vi) We prohibit organized drives. We define a ``drive'' as an
organized or planned effort to pursue, drive, chase, or otherwise
frighten or cause game to move in the direction of any person(s) who is
part of the organized or planned hunt and known to be waiting for the
game.
(vii) We prohibit hunting or observing from an elevated stand
without use of a full body harness.
(2) Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of gray squirrel and
rabbit on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following
conditions:
(i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (d)(1)(i) and (ii) and
(v) through (vii) of this section apply.
(ii) We allow only shotguns and State-designated archery equipment
as means of take for upland game hunting.
(3) Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer and
feral hog on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following
conditions:
(i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (d)(1)(i) and (v)
through (vii) of this section apply.
(ii) We allow youth gun hunting opportunities that are spaced-blind
and assigned by lottery. Hunters wishing to participate in our youth
gun hunt must submit a Big/Upland Game Hunt Application (FWS Form 3-
2439, Hunt Application--National Wildlife Refuge System).
(iii) All youth hunters must remain within sight and normal voice
contact of a properly hunting-licensed adult age 21 or older. Youth
hunters must possess and carry verification of passing a State-approved
hunter education course. One adult may supervise no more than one youth
hunter.
(iv) All big game hunting opportunities, except for youth gun, are
archery-only.
(v) We close those portions of the refuge between Bustahatchee and
Rood Creeks to archery hunting until November 1.
(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport fishing, including bowfishing, in
designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) We allow shoreline access for fishing from 1 hour before legal
sunrise to 1 hour after legal sunset.
(ii) We prohibit taking frog or turtle on all refuge lands and
waters (see Sec. 27.21 of this chapter).
(iii) We adopt reciprocal license agreements between Alabama and
Georgia for fishing in Lake Eufaula. Anglers fishing in waters not
directly connected to Lake Eufaula must be properly licensed for the
State in which they are fishing.
* * * * *
0
4. Amend Sec. 32.24 by:
0
a. Redesignating paragraphs (f) through (x) as paragraphs (g) through
(y), respectively;
0
b. Adding new paragraph (f); and
0
c. Revising and republishing newly redesignated paragraphs (r) and (t).
The addition and revisions read as follows:
Sec. 32.24 California.
* * * * *
(f) Grasslands Wildlife Management Area--(1) Migratory game bird
hunting. We allow hunting of goose, duck, coot, moorhen, and snipe on
designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) You may not possess more than 25 shot shells while in the field
once you have left your assigned parking lot. On the Freitas Units, you
may not possess more than 25 shot shells once you are in the field.
(ii) You must return your permits (State-issued) to the check
stations immediately upon completion of your hunt and prior to using
any tour routes or leaving the refuge vicinity.
(iii) We restrict hunters in the spaced blind area to their
assigned blind except when they are placing decoys, traveling to and
from the parking area, retrieving downed birds, or pursuing crippled
birds.
(iv) We restrict hunters in the spaced zone area of the East Bear
Creek Unit and West Bear Creek Unit to their assigned zone except when
they are traveling to and from the parking area, retrieving downed
birds, or pursuing crippled birds.
(v) Access to the Freitas Unit free-roam hunting area is by boat
only. We prohibit air-thrust and inboard water-thrust boats.
(vi) We require State-issued Type A area permits for accessing the
Freitas Unit on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
(2) Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of pheasant on designated
areas of the refuge.
(3)-(4) [Reserved]
* * * * *
(r) San Diego National Wildlife Refuge--(1) [Reserved]
(2) Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of quail, mourning and
white-winged dove, spotted and ringed turtle dove, Eurasian collared-
dove, brush rabbit, cottontail rabbit, and jackrabbit on designated
areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) Archery hunting of quail is limited to September one to the
closing date
[[Page 20610]]
established by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW).
(ii) Hunting of brush rabbit and cottontail rabbit is limited to
September one to the closing date established by CDFW.
(iii) Hunting of Eurasian collared-dove and jackrabbit is limited
to September 1 to the last day of February.
(iv) We allow shotguns and archery only. Falconry is prohibited.
(v) We allow the use of dogs when hunting upland game.
(3) Big game hunting. We allow hunting of mule deer on designated
areas of the refuge.
(4) [Reserved]
* * * * *
(t) San Luis National Wildlife Refuge--(1) Migratory game bird
hunting. We allow hunting of goose, duck, coot, moorhen, and snipe on
designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) You may not possess more than 25 shot shells while in the field
once you have left your assigned parking lot. On the Freitas Units, you
may not possess more than 25 shot shells once you are in the field.
(ii) You must return your permits (State-issued) to the check
stations immediately upon completion of your hunt and prior to using
any tour routes or leaving the refuge vicinity.
(iii) We restrict hunters in the spaced blind area to their
assigned blind except when they are placing decoys, traveling to and
from the parking area, retrieving downed birds, or pursuing crippled
birds.
(iv) We restrict hunters in the spaced zone area of the East Bear
Creek Unit and West Bear Creek Unit to their assigned zone except when
they are traveling to and from the parking area, retrieving downed
birds, or pursuing crippled birds.
(v) Access to the Freitas Unit free-roam hunting area is by boat
only. We prohibit air-thrust and inboard water-thrust boats.
(vi) We require State-issued Type A area permits for accessing the
Freitas Unit on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
(vii) We prohibit the use of motorized boats and other flotation
devices in the free-roam units with the exception of the Freitas Unit.
(viii) We prohibit vehicle trailers of any type or size to be in
the refuge hunt areas at any time or to be left unattended at any
location on the refuge.
(ix) We allow the use of dogs when hunting.
(2) Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of pheasant on designated
areas of the refuge.
(3) [Reserved]
(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport fishing on designated areas of
the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) We only allow fishing during normal refuge visitation hours in
designated areas as posted.
(ii) We only allow the use of pole and line or rod and reel to take
fish, and anglers must attend their equipment at all times.
* * * * *
0
5. Amend Sec. 32.29 by revising and republishing paragraphs (b), (e),
(h), and (i) to read as follows:
Sec. 32.29 Georgia.
* * * * *
(b) Blackbeard Island National Wildlife Refuge. (1)-(2) [Reserved]
(3) Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer and
feral hog on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following
conditions:
(i) We require a refuge hunt permit (electronic form) for all
hunters age 16 and older.
(ii) Each hunter may place one stand on the refuge no earlier than
one month prior to the opening day of each hunt but must remove the
stand by the end of each hunt (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter).
(iii) Only permitted hunters may camp at the designated camping
area during refuge hunts.
(iv) For hunting, we allow only bows as governed by State
regulations.
(v) Hunters may take five deer (no more than two antlered).
(vi) We allow mooring of boats to the government dock only for
loading and unloading purposes.
(4) Sport fishing. We allow fishing on designated areas of the
refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) We allow saltwater fishing year-round in the estuarine waters
adjacent to the refuge.
(ii) We allow bank/beach saltwater fishing into estuarine waters
only from legal sunrise to legal sunset except during managed hunts.
* * * * *
(e) Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge. (1)-(2) [Reserved]
(3) Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer and
feral hog on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following
conditions:
(i) We require a refuge hunt permit (electronic form) for all
hunters age 16 and older.
(ii) Each hunter may place one stand on the refuge during the week
preceding each hunt but must remove the stand by the end of each hunt
(see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter).
(iii) We prohibit hunting within 100 yards (91 meters) of Harris
Neck Road, the refuge entrance drive, Visitor Contact Station/Office,
Barbour River Landing, Barbour River Road, or Gould's Cemetery.
(iv) Hunters may take five deer (no more than two antlered).
(v) During the gun hunt, we allow only shotguns (20 gauge or
larger), muzzleloaders, bows, air rifles (.30 caliber or larger), and
air bows, as governed by State regulations. We prohibit the use of
centerfire rifles and prohibit the use of buckshot.
(vi) We allow the incidental take of armadillo, feral hog, and
coyote during any refuge hunt with the weapons legal for that hunt,
subject to applicable State seasons and regulations. There is no bag
limit for these species.
(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport fishing on designated areas of
the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) We allow saltwater fishing year-round in the estuarine waters
adjacent to the refuge.
(ii) We allow bank fishing into estuarine waters only from legal
sunrise to legal sunset except during managed hunts.
(iii) We prohibit freshwater fishing.
* * * * *
(h) Savannah National Wildlife Refuge--(1) Migratory game bird
hunting. We allow hunting of waterfowl and mourning dove on designated
areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) We require a refuge hunt permit (electronic form) for all
hunters age 16 and older.
(ii) To participate in the quota youth waterfowl hunt, youth
hunters must submit the Waterfowl Lottery Application (FWS Form 3-2439,
Hunt Application--National Wildlife Refuge System).
(iii) You may take feral hog and coyote during all refuge hunts
(migratory bird, upland, and big game) with weapons authorized and
legal for those hunts.
(iv) We allow the incidental take of armadillo, beaver, opossum,
and raccoon during all refuge hunts (migratory bird, upland, and big
game) with firearms and other equipment authorized for use on refuge
lands in Georgia only.
(v) We allow the use of dogs for retrieving migratory birds.
(2) Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of squirrel and rabbit on
designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
[[Page 20611]]
(i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (h)(1)(i), (iii), and
(iv) of this section apply.
(ii) You may not hunt on or within 100 yards (90 meters) of public
roads, refuge facilities, roads and trails, and railroad rights-of-way,
or in closed areas.
(3) Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer,
turkey, alligator, feral hog, and coyote on designated areas of the
refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (h)(1)(i), (iii), and
(iv) of this section apply.
(ii) To participate in the quota gun hunt for wheelchair-dependent
hunters, hunters must submit the Quota Deer Hunt Application (FWS Form
3-2439, Hunt Application--National Wildlife Refuge System). To
participate in the quota youth turkey hunt and learn weekend, youth
hunters must submit the Big/Upland Game Hunt Application (FWS Form 3-
2439, Hunt Application--National Wildlife Refuge System).
(iii) You may only use bows, as governed by State regulations, for
deer, feral hog, and coyote hunting during the archery hunt for these
species.
(iv) You may only use shotguns (20 gauge or larger, slugs only),
centerfire rifles, centerfire pistols, muzzleloaders, and bows, as
governed by State regulations, for deer, feral hog, and coyote hunting
during the firearm hunts for these species.
(v) Hunters may take as many as five deer (no more than two
antlered). There is no bag limit on feral hog or coyote.
(vi) We allow only shotguns with approved nontoxic #2 shot or
smaller, and bows, as governed by State regulations, for turkey
hunting. We prohibit the use of slugs or buckshot for turkey hunting.
(vii) We prohibit catch-and-release of alligators.
(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport fishing on designated areas of
the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) Anglers may fish in refuge impoundments and canals from March 1
through November 30 annually.
(ii) Anglers may fish in Kingfisher Pond and all tidal creeks year-
round.
(iii) We allow fishing from legal sunrise to legal sunset.
(iv) Anglers may bank fish year-round throughout the refuge, unless
otherwise posted.
(v) Anglers may only use nonmotorized boats and boats with electric
motors within impounded waters.
(i) Wassaw National Wildlife Refuge. (1)-(2) [Reserved]
(3) Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer and
feral hog on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following
conditions:
(i) We require a refuge hunt permit (electronic form) for all
hunters age 16 and older.
(ii) Hunters may take five deer (no more than two antlered).
(iii) We prohibit the use of buckshot.
(iv) We allow mooring of boats to the government dock only for
loading or unloading purposes.
(v) We allow only permitted hunters to camp at the designated
camping area while participating in refuge hunts.
(vi) Each hunter may place one stand on the refuge no earlier than
one month prior to the opening day of each hunt, but you must remove
all stands by the end of each hunt (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter).
(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport fishing on designated areas of
the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) We allow saltwater fishing year-round in the estuarine waters
adjacent to the refuge.
(ii) We allow bank/beach fishing into estuarine waters only from
legal sunrise to legal sunset except during managed hunts.
(iii) We prohibit freshwater fishing.
* * * * *
0
6. Amend Sec. 32.37 by revising and republishing paragraphs (l), (t),
and (u) to read as follows:
Sec. 32.37 Louisiana.
* * * * *
(l) D'Arbonne National Wildlife Refuge--(1) Migratory game bird
hunting. We allow hunting of duck, goose, coot, and woodcock on
designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) You must carry a signed refuge hunt permit (signed public use
regulations brochure) and must carry and fill out daily a Visitor
Check-In Permit and Report (FWS Form 3-2405).
(ii) We allow waterfowl hunting until 12 p.m. (noon) during the
State season.
(iii) Hunters may enter the refuge no earlier than 4 a.m. and must
exit no later than 1:30 p.m.
(iv) We prohibit hunting within 100 feet (30 meters (m)) of the
maintained rights-of-way of roads. We prohibit hunting within 50 feet
(15 m) or trespassing on aboveground oil, gas, or electrical
transmission facilities.
(v) Hunters must remove boats, blinds, and decoys from the refuge
at the end of each day's hunt (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter).
(vi) When hunting migratory game birds, you may only use dogs to
locate, point, and retrieve game.
(2) Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of squirrel, rabbit,
raccoon, and opossum on designated areas of the refuge subject to the
following conditions:
(i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (l)(1)(i) and (iv) of
this section apply.
(ii) You may enter the refuge no earlier than 4 a.m. and must exit
no later than 2 hours after legal shooting hours.
(iii) When hunting upland game, you may only use dogs to locate,
point, and retrieve game.
(3) Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer on
designated areas of the refuge as indicated subject to the following
conditions:
(i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (l)(1)(i) and (iv) and
(l)(2)(ii) of this section apply.
(ii) You must check all deer taken during general gun deer hunts at
a refuge check station on the same day taken.
(iii) We prohibit hunters from placing or hunting from stands on
pine trees with white-painted bands or rings.
(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport fishing on the refuge subject to
the following condition: We prohibit the taking of turtle (see Sec.
27.21 of this chapter).
* * * * *
(t) Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge--(1) Migratory game bird
hunting. We allow hunting of duck, goose, rail, gallinule, coot,
woodcock, and snipe on designated areas of the refuge subject to the
following conditions:
(i) All hunters and anglers age 16 and older must purchase an
Annual Public Use Permit (FWS Form 3-2439). This permit allows
individuals to participate in open (non-quota) hunting and fishing
seasons.
(ii) All hunters and anglers must obtain a Self-Clearing Permit
(FWS Form 3-2405), available at refuge entry points and at the Visitor
Center, or utilize electronic check in and check out, and complete the
self-clearing process when exiting the refuge at the end of each day.
(iii) We allow hunting of duck, goose, rail, gallinule, coot, and
snipe on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays until 2 p.m.
during the State season. We prohibit migratory bird hunting during
refuge gun hunts for deer.
(iv) We allow refuge hunters to enter the refuge no earlier than 4
a.m., and they must leave no later than 2 hours after legal sunset
unless they are participating in the refuge nighttime raccoon hunt or
tracking wounded deer.
(v) We allow all-terrain vehicle (ATV) travel on designated trails
for access
[[Page 20612]]
typically from October 1 to the last day of the refuge squirrel season.
(vi) We prohibit field dressing of game within 150 feet (45 meters)
of parking areas, maintained roads, and trails.
(vii) An adult age 18 or older must supervise youth hunters age 17
and younger during all hunts. One adult may supervise two youths during
small game and migratory bird hunts but may supervise only one youth
during big game hunts. Youth must remain within normal voice contact of
the adult who is supervising them.
(viii) We allow the incidental take of coyote, beaver, raccoon,
opossum, feral hog, armadillo, and nutria during authorized hunts with
firearms and archery equipment legal for use during the hunt.
(2) Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of raccoon, squirrel, and
rabbit, and the incidental take of coyote, beaver, raccoon, opossum,
armadillo, and nutria, on designated areas of the refuge subject to the
following conditions:
(i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (t)(1)(i), (ii), and
(iv) through (viii) of this section apply.
(ii) A nighttime raccoon hunt will be conducted during December,
January, and/or February, usually in conjunction with the adjacent
State Wildlife Management Area (WMA) raccoon hunting season.
(iii) We allow the use of dogs when squirrel and rabbit hunting
subject to the following conditions:
(A) We allow hunting without dogs from the beginning of the State
season to December 31.
(B) From the beginning of the State season to December 31, we do
not require hunters to wear hunter orange.
(C) We allow squirrel and rabbit hunting with or without dogs from
January 1 to the last day of February.
(D) From January 1 to the last day of February, squirrel and rabbit
hunters are required to wear a minimum solid hunter orange cap.
(E) We allow no more than three dogs per hunting party.
(iv) We close squirrel and rabbit hunting during the following gun
hunts for deer: Refuge-wide youth hunt, primitive firearms hunt, and
modern firearms hunts.
(3) Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer and
turkey, and the incidental take of feral hog, on designated areas of
the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (t)(1)(i), (ii), and
(iv) through (viii) of this section apply.
(ii) We require a valid Quota Firearm Permit (FWS Form 3-2439) to
hunt during a Deer Quota Firearm Hunt. You must complete and submit an
application for all Deer Quota Hunts, and hunters will be notified of
their drawing status. If selected, hunters are required to purchase the
Annual Public Use Permit (FWS Form 3-2439) to claim their Quota Firearm
Permit for the selected hunt. Hunters must carry a signed paper copy or
electronic version of the permit with them on their person while
hunting.
(iii) Deer archery season will begin the first Saturday in November
and will conclude on January 31, except for during the youth gun hunt
and modern firearms hunts, when archery is prohibited.
(iv) The deer primitive firearms season will occur between November
1 and January 31. We allow all legal primitive firearms as governed by
State regulations.
(v) During the deer primitive firearms season, hunters may fit any
legal primitive firearms with magnified scopes.
(vi) We allow hunters using primitive weapons to hunt reforested
areas.
(vii) We prohibit youth hunters from using modern firearms during
the primitive weapon hunt.
(viii) We prohibit hunting and/or shooting into or across any
reforested area during the gun hunts for deer.
(ix) For the guided quota youth hunts, we consider youth to be ages
8 through 15.
(x) We will conduct a refuge-wide youth deer hunt that will
coincide with the State youth hunt weekend.
(xi) Hunters may take only one deer (one buck or one doe) per day
during refuge deer hunts, except that during guided youth and
wheelchair-bound hunts, the limit will be one antlerless and one
antlered deer per day.
(xii) We allow turkey hunting in designated areas during the State
turkey hunt season not to exceed 16 days.
(xiii) We allow a youth turkey hunt weekend in conjunction with the
State youth turkey hunt weekend.
(xiv) We allow muzzleloader hunters to discharge their primitive
firearms at the end of each hunt safely into the ground at least 150
feet (45 meters (m)) from any designated public road, maintained road,
trail, fire break, dwelling, or aboveground oil and gas production
facility. We define a ``maintained road or trail'' as one that has been
mowed, disked, or plowed, or one that is free of trees.
(xv) We prohibit deer hunters leaving deer stands unattended before
the opening day of the refuge archery season. Hunters must remove
stands from the refuge by the end of the last day of the refuge archery
season (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter). Hunters must remove portable
stands from trees at the end of each day's hunt and place freestanding
stands in a nonhunting position when unattended. Hunters must clearly
mark stands left unattended on the refuge with the hunter's last name,
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries license number, and I-
Sportsman Permit Number.
(xvi) We allow hunting with slugs, rifle, or pistol ammunition
larger than .22 caliber rimfire only during the quota hunts for deer.
We prohibit use of buckshot when hunting.
(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport fishing on designated areas of
the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (t)(1)(i) and (ii) of
this section apply.
(ii) We allow anglers to enter the refuge no earlier than 4 a.m.,
and they must depart no later than 2 hours after legal sunset.
(iii) We prohibit the taking of turtle (see Sec. 27.21 of this
chapter).
(iv) We prohibit fish cleaning within 150 feet (45 m) of parking
areas, maintained roads, and trails.
(u) Upper Ouachita National Wildlife Refuge--(1) Migratory game
bird hunting. We allow hunting of duck, goose, coot, dove, rail,
gallinule, snipe, and woodcock on designated areas of the refuge
subject to the following conditions:
(i) You must carry a signed refuge public use brochure and must
carry and fill out daily a Visitor Check-In Permit and Report (FWS Form
3-2405).
(ii) Hunters may only hunt during designated refuge seasons as
listed in the signed refuge public use brochure.
(iii) We allow waterfowl hunting until 12 p.m. (noon) during the
State season. Waterfowl hunters must exit the refuge no later than 1:30
p.m.
(iv) Hunters may enter the refuge no earlier than 4 a.m.
(v) We prohibit hunting within 100 feet (30 meters (m)) of the
maintained rights-of-way of roads and from or across all-terrain
vehicle (ATV) trails. We prohibit hunting within 50 feet (15 meters
(m)) of, or trespassing on, aboveground oil, gas, or electrical
transmission facilities.
(vi) When hunting migratory game birds, you may only use dogs to
locate, point, and retrieve.
(vii) We allow ATVs only on trails designated for their use and
marked by signs (see Sec. 27.31 of this chapter). ATV trails are
closed March 1 through August 31.
[[Page 20613]]
(viii) We allow the incidental take of coyote, beaver, and feral
hog during any refuge hunt with the weapons legal for that hunt,
subject to applicable State seasons and regulations.
(2) Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of quail, squirrel,
rabbit, raccoon, and opossum, and the incidental take of coyote and
beaver, on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following
conditions:
(i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (u)(1)(i), (ii), (iv),
(v), (vii), and (viii) of this section apply.
(ii) You must exit no later than 2 hours after legal shooting
hours, unless participating in authorized hunting after legal sunset.
(iii) We allow the nighttime hunting of raccoon and opossum from
December 1 to January 31 with the aid of dogs. We allow hunting of
raccoon and opossum during the daylight hours of rabbit and squirrel
season.
(3) Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer and
turkey, and the incidental take of feral hog, on designated areas of
the refuge subject to the following conditions: (i) The conditions set
forth at paragraphs (u)(1)(i), (ii), (iv), (v), (vii), and (viii), and
(u)(2)(ii) of this section apply.
(ii) Deer hunters must wear hunter orange as governed by State deer
hunting regulations in wildlife management areas.
(iii) We prohibit hunters from placing stands or hunting from
stands on pine trees with white-painted bands and/or rings.
(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport fishing on designated areas of
the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) We prohibit leaving boats and other personal property on the
refuge overnight (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter).
(ii) You must tend trotlines daily. You must attach ends of
trotlines by a length of cotton line that extends into the water.
(iii) We prohibit the taking of turtle (see Sec. 27.21 of this
chapter).
* * * * *
0
7. Amend Sec. 32.38 by revising and republishing paragraph (c) to read
as follows:
Sec. 32.38 Maine.
* * * * *
(c) Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge--(1) Migratory game bird
hunting. We allow hunting of duck, goose, American woodcock, and snipe
on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) We allow the use of dogs consistent with State regulations.
(ii) We allow hunters to enter the refuge 1 hour before legal
shooting hours, and they must exit the refuge by 1 hour past legal
shooting hours.
(iii) We only allow portable or temporary blinds and decoys that
must be removed from the refuge following each day's hunt (see Sec.
27.93 of this chapter).
(iv) Hunters must retrieve all species harvested on the refuge.
(2) Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of bobcat, eastern
coyote, ruffed grouse, snowshoe hare, red fox, gray and red squirrel,
raccoon, skunk, porcupine, and woodchuck on designated areas of the
refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (c)(1)(i), (ii) (except
for hunters pursuing raccoon and coyote at night), (iii), and (iv) of
this section apply.
(ii) We allow hunting for eastern coyote, red squirrel, and
woodchuck only from October 1 to March 31.
(3) Big game hunting. We allow hunting of black bear, moose,
turkey, and white-tailed deer on designated areas of the refuge subject
to the following conditions:
(i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (c)(1)(i), (ii), and
(iv) of this section apply.
(ii) We allow stands, blinds, and ladders to be set up on the
opening day of the archery deer season. Stands, blinds and ladders may
not be set up within 50 yards of a road open to motorized vehicles.
Hunters must clearly label tree stands, blinds, or ladders left on the
refuge overnight with your State hunting license number and last name.
Hunters must remove stands, blinds, and ladders from the refuge by the
last day of the muzzleloader deer season (see Sec. 27.93 of this
chapter).
(iii) You may hunt black bear, eastern coyote, and white-tailed
deer during the State archery and firearms deer seasons on the Baring
Division east of State Route 191.
(iv) We prohibit use of firearms to hunt bear during the archery
deer season on the Baring Division east of Route 191. We prohibit the
use of firearms, other than a muzzleloader, to hunt coyote during the
deer muzzleloader season on the Baring Division east of Route 191.
(v) You may hunt turkey during the State fall turkey season using
archery equipment only.
(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport fishing on designated areas of
the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) We only allow fishing from \1/2\ hour before legal sunrise to
\1/2\ hour after legal sunset.
(ii) We prohibit trapping fish for use as bait.
* * * * *
0
8. Amend Sec. 32.39 by adding paragraph (d) to read as follows:
Sec. 32.39 Maryland.
* * * * *
(d) Southern Maryland Woodlands National Wildlife Refuge. (1)-(2)
[Reserved]
(3) Big game hunting. We allow the hunting of white-tailed deer and
turkey on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following
conditions:
(i) We allow only the use of archery equipment, as defined by the
State, in designated areas open to hunting.
(ii) We prohibit organized deer drives. We define a ``deer drive''
as an organized or planned effort to pursue, drive, chase, or otherwise
frighten or cause deer to move in the direction of any person(s) who is
part of the organized or planned hunt and known to be waiting for the
deer.
(4) [Reserved]
0
9. Amend Sec. 32.41 by revising and republishing paragraph (f) to read
as follows:
Sec. 32.41 Michigan.
* * * * *
(f) Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge--(1) Migratory game bird
hunting. We allow hunting of waterfowl (duck and goose), American
woodcock, American crow, American coot, common gallinule, sora,
Virginia rail, and Wilson's snipe on designated areas of the refuge
subject to the following conditions:
(i) You must possess and carry a refuge check-in card (FWS Form 3-
2405, Self-Clearing Check-in Permit).
(ii) We allow waterfowl hunting on Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesdays,
and Thursdays during the regular goose season after September 30 and
during the State youth waterfowl season.
(iii) We allow hunter access to the refuge 2 hours before legal
shooting time to 2 hours after legal shooting time.
(iv) You may possess no more than 25 shotgun shells while hunting
in the field.
(v) We allow the use of dogs while hunting, provided the dog is
under the immediate control of the hunter at all times.
(vi) We allow the take of feral hogs incidental to other lawful
hunting using legal methods of take.
(2) Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of turkey, small game
(eastern fox squirrel, eastern cottontail, and ring-necked pheasant),
and furbearers (raccoon, coyote, and red fox) on designated areas of
the refuge subject to the following conditions:
[[Page 20614]]
(i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (f)(1)(iii) and (vi) of
this section apply, except we allow hunter access to the refuge for
furbearer hunting from \1/2\ hour before legal sunrise to \1/2\ hour
after legal sunset.
(ii) You may only hunt turkey during the spring season.
(iii) We allow dogs for hunting. Raccoon hunting dogs must wear
global positioning system (GPS) or radio collars.
(3) Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer on
designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (f)(1)(iii) and (vi) of
this section apply.
(ii) You must possess and carry a refuge permit (State-issued
permit).
(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport fishing on designated areas of
the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) We allow fishing by boat in navigable waterways but not within
any managed refuge units.
(ii) We allow bank fishing from legal sunrise to legal sunset only
at designated sites along the Tittabawassee and Cass Rivers.
0
10. Amend Sec. 32.45 by revising and republishing paragraphs (c), (d),
(h), (j), and (l) to read as follows:
Sec. 32.45 Montana.
* * * * *
(c) Black Coulee National Wildlife Refuge--(1) Migratory game bird
hunting. We allow migratory game bird hunting on designated areas of
the refuge subject to the following condition: You must remove all
boats, decoys, portable blinds, other personal property, and any
materials brought onto the refuge for blind construction by legal
sunset each day (see Sec. Sec. 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
(2) Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of pheasant, sharp-tailed
grouse, sage grouse, gray partridge, fox, and coyote on designated
areas of the refuge subject to the following condition: Fox and coyote
hunters may only use centerfire rifles, rimfire rifles, or shotguns
with approved nontoxic shot (see Sec. 32.2(k)).
(3) Big game hunting. We allow big game hunting on designated
portions of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) We allow hunters to leave portable tree stands, portable
blinds, and freestanding elevated platforms on the refuge from August
15 through December 15.
(ii) You must visibly mark portable tree stands, portable blinds,
and freestanding elevated platforms with your automated licensing
system (ALS) number.
(4) [Reserved]
(d) Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge--(1) Migratory game bird
hunting. We allow migratory game bird hunting on designated areas of
the refuge.
(2) Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of pheasant, sharp-tailed
grouse, sage grouse, gray partridge, fox, and coyote on designated
areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) You must possess and carry a refuge Special Use Permit (FWS
Form 3-1383-G) to hunt fox and coyote.
(ii) Fox and coyote hunters may only use centerfire rifles, rimfire
rifles, or shotguns with approved nontoxic shot (see Sec. 32.2(k)).
(3)-(4) [Reserved]
* * * * *
(h) Creedman Coulee National Wildlife Refuge--(1) Migratory game
bird hunting. We allow migratory game bird hunting on designated areas
of the refuge.
(2) Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of pheasant, sharp-tailed
grouse, sage grouse, gray partridge, fox, and coyote on designated
areas of the refuge.
(3) Big game hunting. We allow big game hunting on designated areas
of the refuge.
(4) [Reserved]
* * * * *
(j) Hewitt Lake National Wildlife Refuge--(1) Migratory game bird
hunting. We allow migratory game bird hunting on designated areas of
the refuge subject to the following condition: You must remove all
boats, decoys, portable blinds, other personal property, and any
materials brought onto the refuge for blind construction by legal
sunset each day (see Sec. Sec. 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
(2) Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of pheasant, sharp-tailed
grouse, sage grouse, gray partridge, fox, and coyote on designated
portions of the refuge subject to the following condition: Fox and
coyote hunters may use only centerfire rifles, rim-fire rifles, or
shotguns with approved nontoxic shot (see Sec. 32.2(k)).
(3) Big game hunting. We allow big game hunting on designated areas
of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) We allow hunters to leave portable tree stands, portable
blinds, and freestanding elevated platforms on the refuge from August
15 through December 15.
(ii) You must visibly mark portable tree stands, portable blinds,
and freestanding elevated platforms with your automated licensing
system (ALS) number.
(4) [Reserved]
* * * * *
(l) Lake Thibadeau National Wildlife Refuge--(1) Migratory game
bird hunting. We allow migratory game bird hunting on designated areas
of the refuge.
(2) Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of pheasant, sharp-tailed
grouse, sage grouse, gray partridge, fox, and coyote on designated
areas of the refuge.
(3) Big game hunting. We allow big game hunting on designated areas
of the refuge.
(4) [Reserved]
* * * * *
0
11. Amend Sec. 32.47 by revising and republishing paragraph (a) to
read as follows:
Sec. 32.47 Nevada.
* * * * *
(a) Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge--(1) Migratory game bird
hunting. We allow hunting of goose, duck, coot, moorhen, snipe, and
dove on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following
condition: We open the refuge to the public from 1 hour before legal
sunrise until 1 hour after legal sunset.
(2) Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of quail and rabbit on
designated areas of the refuge subject to the following condition: We
open the refuge to the public from 1 hour before legal sunrise until 1
hour after legal sunset.
(3)-(4) [Reserved]
* * * * *
0
12. Amend Sec. 32.51 by revising and republishing paragraph (e) to
read as follows:
Sec. 32.51 New York.
* * * * *
(e) Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge--(1) Migratory game bird
hunting. We allow hunting of waterfowl, Canada goose, snow goose, and
gallinule on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following
conditions:
(i) We allow the use of dogs consistent with State regulations.
(ii) For the regular waterfowl season and October through January
season for Canada goose:
(A) We require daily electronic refuge permits and reservations. We
require you to check in, check out, and report your harvest each hunt
day using the designated online platform.
(B) We allow hunting only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays
[[Page 20615]]
during the established refuge season set within the State western zone
season, and during New York State's established special hunts, which
can occur any day of the week as set by the State. Veteran and active
military hunters may be accompanied by a non-hunting companion. Youth
hunters must be accompanied by a qualified guide (qualified guides must
be of legal hunting age and possess a valid hunting license, Federal
Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (as known as ``Federal
Duck Stamp''), Harvest Information Program (HIP) number, and proof of
successful completion of a waterfowl identification course as described
in paragraph (e)(1)(ii)(F) of this section).
(C) Hunters may not enter the refuge earlier than 5 a.m. and must
exit the hunt area by one p.m.
(D) We allow motorless boats to hunt waterfowl. We limit hunters to
one boat per reservation and one motor vehicle in the hunt area per
reservation. Participants in the New York State youth waterfowl hunt
may request exceptions to this provision at the discretion of Refuge
staff.
(E) We prohibit shooting from within 500 feet (152 meters) of the
Tschache Pool observation tower.
(F) We require proof of successful completion of the New York State
waterfowl identification course, the Montezuma nonresident waterfowl
identification course, or a suitable nonresident State waterfowl
identification course. All hunters must show proof of successful course
completion each time they hunt.
(G) You may hunt gallinule and Canada goose on refuge areas
designated for the regular waterfowl season only during the regular
waterfowl season.
(iii) For Canada goose in September and snow goose hunting:
(A) We allow hunting of Canada goose during the New York State
September season and hunting of snow goose during portions of the New
York State snow goose season and portions of the period covered by the
Light Goose Conservation Order.
(B) You must possess a valid daily hunt permit (FWS Form 3-2542).
We require you to complete and return the daily hunt permit card by the
end of the hunt day.
(C) For snow goose hunting, hunters may enter the refuge/Hunter
Check Station area no earlier than 4 hours before legal sunrise. For
Canada goose hunting, hunters may enter the refuge/Hunter Check Station
area no earlier than 2 hours before legal sunrise.
(2) Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of rabbit and squirrel on
designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) The condition set forth at paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this section
applies.
(ii) You must possess a valid daily hunt permit (FWS Form 3-2542)
and are required to complete and return the daily hunt permit card by
the end of each hunt day.
(iii) We allow upland game hunters to access the refuge from 2
hours before legal sunrise until 2 hours after legal sunset.
(iv) We require the use of approved non-lead ammunition for upland
game hunting (see Sec. 32.2(k)).
(3) Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer and
wild turkey on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following
conditions:
(i) The condition set forth at paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this section
applies.
(ii) You must possess a valid daily hunt permit (FWS Form 3-2542).
We require you to complete and return the daily hunt permit card by the
end of the hunt day.
(iii) We allow white-tailed deer and turkey hunters to access the
refuge from 2 hours before legal sunrise until 2 hours after legal
sunset.
(iv) We allow youth and special big game hunts during New York
state's established youth and special big game hunts each year.
(4) Sport fishing. We allow access for fishing from designated
areas of the refuge subject to the following condition: We prohibit the
use of lead fishing tackle.
* * * * *
0
13. Amend Sec. 32.52 by revising and republishing paragraph (i) to
read as follows:
Sec. 32.52 North Carolina.
* * * * *
(i) Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge--(1) Migratory game bird
hunting. We allow hunting of duck, goose, swan, dove, woodcock, rail,
and snipe on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following
conditions:
(i) We require all hunters and anglers to possess and carry a
signed, self-service refuge hunting/fishing permit (signed brochure)
while hunting and fishing on the refuge. We require all hunters age 16
and older to purchase and carry a special refuge recreational activity
permit (name/address/phone number).
(ii) We allow hunters to enter and remain in hunting areas from 2
hours before legal sunrise until 2 hours after legal sunset when we
allow hunting in those areas.
(iii) We allow the use of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) only on
designated ATV roads (see Sec. 27.31 of this chapter) and only to
transport hunters and their equipment to hunt and scout. We allow
hunting from ATVs while on these designated ATV roads when they are
stationary and the engine is turned off. We allow ATV use only on the
ATV roads at the following times:
(A) When we open the ATV road and surrounding area to hunting;
(B) One week prior to the ATV road and surrounding area opening to
hunting; and
(C) On Sundays, when we open the ATV road and surrounding area for
hunting the following Monday.
(iv) We allow the use of only biodegradable-type flagging.
(v) We allow the use of only portable blinds and temporary blinds
constructed of natural materials. You must remove portable blinds at
the end of each day (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter).
(vi) We allow the use of dogs to point and retrieve migratory game
birds.
(2) Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of quail, squirrel,
raccoon, opossum, rabbit, beaver, nutria, and fox on designated areas
of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (i)(1)(i) through (iv)
of this section apply.
(ii) We only allow the taking of beaver and nutria with firearms
and only during those times when the area is open to hunting of other
game animals with firearms.
(iii) We prohibit the hunting of raccoon and opossum during, 5 days
before, and 5 days after the State bear seasons. Outside of these
periods, we allow the hunting of raccoon and opossum at night but only
while possessing a General Special Use Application and Permit (FWS Form
3-1383-G).
(iv) We prohibit the use of rifles, other than .22-caliber rimfire
rifles for hunting, and we prohibit the use of pistols for hunting.
(v) We allow the use of dogs for pointing and retrieving upland
game and for chasing rabbit (but not fox). We prohibit possession of
buckshot or slugs while hunting with dogs.
(3) Big game hunting. We allow hunting of black bear, deer, turkey,
and feral hog on designated areas of the refuge subject to the
following conditions:
(i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (i)(1)(i) through (iv)
of this section apply.
(ii) You may hunt turkey only if you carry a valid permit (General
Activities Special Use Permit Application, FWS
[[Page 20616]]
Form 3-1383-G). These permits are valid only for the dates and areas
shown on the permit. You may possess only approved nontoxic shot (see
Sec. 32.2(k)) while hunting turkeys west of Evans Road and on the
Pungo Unit.
(iii) We only allow the take of white-tailed deer with the use of
archery equipment, black powder firearms, and shotguns as authorized by
the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.
(iv) For the special opportunity black bear hunt:
(A) We allow the use of centerfire rifle only;
(B) Hunters must shoot from a raised position (portable stand) of
15 feet or higher; and
(C) Additional requirements may apply for hunters selected to
participate in the special opportunity hunt.
(v) We allow deer hunting on the Pungo Unit only through the end of
October each season, except that we allow deer hunting with archery
equipment on the Pungo Unit through the end of November.
(vi) We allow hunters to take feral hogs in any area that is open
to hunting deer using only those weapons authorized for taking deer. On
the Frying Pan tracts, we also allow hunters to take feral hogs, using
only those weapons authorized for taking deer, whenever we open those
tracts to hunting any game species with firearms.
(vii) We allow the use of only portable deer stands (tree climbers,
ladders, tripods, etc.). We require that you remove all stands, blinds,
and other personal property at the end of each day (see Sec. 27.93 of
this chapter).
(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport fishing on designated areas of
the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) We allow fishing in Pungo Lake and New Lake only from March 1
through October 31, except that we close Pungo Lake and the entire
Pungo Unit to fishing during the limited big game hunts.
(ii) We allow fishing only from \1/2\ hour before legal sunrise
until \1/2\ hour after legal sunset.
* * * * *
0
14. Amend Sec. 32.59 by revising and republishing paragraph (d) to
read as follows:
Sec. 32.59 South Carolina.
* * * * *
(d) Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge. (1)-(2) [Reserved]
(3) Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer on
designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) We require a refuge hunt permit (electronic form) for all
hunters age 16 and older.
(ii) Each hunter may place one stand on the refuge during the week
preceding the hunt. You must remove your stand at the end of the hunt
(see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter).
(iii) We allow only shotguns (20 gauge or larger), muzzleloaders,
and bows as governed by State regulations.
(iv) We prohibit the use of buckshot.
(v) We prohibit hunting closer than 100 yards (90 meters (m)) to
U.S. Highway 278 or the check station area, or closer than 200 yards
(180 m) to the residence area.
(vi) Hunters may take five deer (no more than two antlered).
(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport fishing on designated areas of
the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) We allow saltwater fishing year-round in the estuarine waters
adjacent to the refuge.
(ii) We prohibit freshwater fishing.
* * * * *
0
15. Amend Sec. 32.62 by:
0
a. Removing paragraph (a);
0
b. Redesignating paragraphs (b) through (h) as paragraphs (a) through
(g), respectively;
0
c. Revising and republishing newly redesignated paragraph (e);
0
d. Adding new paragraph (h); and
0
e. Revising and republishing paragraph (i).
The revisions and addition read as follows:
Sec. 32.62 Texas.
* * * * *
(e) Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge--(1) Migratory game bird
hunting. We allow hunting of mourning dove, white-winged dove, and
Eurasian collared-dove on designated areas of the refuge subject to the
following conditions:
(i) We require hunters to obtain a refuge permit (FWS Form 3-2439).
(ii) All hunters must check in and out at refuge headquarters.
(iii) Bag limits will be determined annually for each species but
will never exceed the limits set by Texas Parks and Wildlife
Department. Bag limits and other hunting information, such as number of
hunt days and permits issued, will be posted prior to the hunt.
(iv) We prohibit the use of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).
(v) 1 hour after legal sunset, hunters may only be present on the
refuge in designated camping areas.
(vi) We allow the use of dogs for retrieving game.
(vii) Hunters must attend a briefing prior to all hunts.
(viii) We prohibit falconry.
(ix) All bird harvests must be checked at the designated check
points.
(x) Hunting hours will be from \1/2\ hour before legal sunrise
until 12 p.m. (noon).
(2) Upland game hunting. We allow hunting of ring-necked pheasant,
northern bobwhite, and scaled quail on designated areas of the refuge
subject to the following conditions:
(i) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (f)(1)(i) through (ix)
of this section apply.
(ii) Hunting hours will be from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
(iii) We allow only shotguns for pheasant and quail hunting.
(3) Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer, mule
deer, and feral hog on designated areas of the refuge subject to the
following conditions:
(i) The conditions set forth at paragraph (f)(1)(i) through (vii)
of this section apply.
(ii) Hunters may enter the hunting area and begin hunting 1 hour
before legal sunrise and must exit the hunting area by 1 hour after
legal sunset.
(iii) We prohibit the use of tree stands and any devices, such as
nails, tacks, or scaffolding, used to climb trees. We also prohibit the
use of elevated blinds, including tripod blinds.
(iv) We prohibit the use of decoys.
(v) We only allow archery equipment or centerfire rifles (.243/6mm
or larger) as methods of take.
(4) [Reserved]
* * * * *
(h) Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge--(1) Migratory game
bird hunting. We allow hunting of goose, duck, coot, white-winged dove,
mourning dove, rock dove, Eurasian collared-dove, and rock pigeon on
designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) You must carry a current signed refuge hunting permit (signed
refuge hunt brochure) while waterfowl hunting on all refuge hunt units.
(ii) Season dates for waterfowl will be concurrent with the State,
except as specified in the refuge hunt brochure.
(iii) Hunters age 17 and younger must be under the direct
supervision of an adult age 18 or older.
(iv) For waterfowl hunting, you may enter the refuge hunt units no
earlier than 4 a.m. Hunting starts at the designated legal shooting
time and ends at 12 p.m. (noon). You must leave refuge hunt units by
12:30 p.m. For dove hunting, you may enter the refuge 1 hour before
legal sunrise and must leave the refuge by \1/2\ hour after legal
sunset.
[[Page 20617]]
We close refuge hunt units on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's
Day.
(v) For waterfowl hunting, we allow hunting in portions of the East
Unit on Saturdays, Sundays, and Tuesdays during the regular waterfowl
seasons.
(vi) Hunters must check in and out through the check station (FWS
Form 3-2405) when accessing the East Unit by vehicle.
(vii) We require hunters to remain in an assigned area for that
day's hunt.
(viii) We allow hunters to access designated areas of the East Unit
by boat from Jackson Ditch, East Bay Bayou, or Onion Bayou.
(ix) We allow hunting on the East Unit as governed by the State
light goose conservation order. Hunt areas are by permit on a first-
come, first-served basis the morning of the hunt. We allow a maximum of
six persons per field. Individuals in each group must set up and stay
in their permitted area and stay within 50 feet (15 meters (m)) of each
other unless retrieving goose.
(x) Hunters must set up within 50 yards (45 m) of the post marker
and must stay within 50 feet (15 m) of each other unless retrieving
waterfowl. We allow a minimum of two, and a maximum of six, persons per
permit.
(xi) We allow hunting in portions of the Middleton Tract daily
during the September teal season and on Saturdays, Sundays, and
Wednesdays of the regular waterfowl season.
(xii) We restrict motorized boats in inland waters of the Middleton
Tract to motors of 25 horsepower or less or electric trolling motors
during hunting season.
(xiii) You may access hunt areas by foot, nonmotorized watercraft,
outboard motorboat, or airboat. Airboats may not exceed 10 horsepower
with direct drive with a propeller length of 48 inches (120
centimeters) or less.
(xiv) On inland waters of refuge hunt areas open to motorized
boats, we restrict the operation of motorized boats to lakes, ponds,
ditches, and other waterways when hunting. We prohibit the operation of
motorized boats on or through emergent wetland vegetation.
(xv) On inland waters of the refuge hunt areas open to motorized
boats, we restrict the use of boats powered by air-cooled or radiator-
cooled engines to those powered by a single engine of 25 horsepower or
less and utilizing a propeller 9 inches (22.5 centimeters) in diameter
or less during the hunting season.
(xvi) We allow portable blinds or temporary natural vegetation
blinds. You must remove all blinds, decoys, boats, spent shells, marsh
chairs, and other equipment from the refuge at the end of each day's
hunt (see Sec. Sec. 27.93 and 27.94 of this chapter).
(xvii) We require a minimum distance between hunt parties of 200
yards (180 m).
(xviii) We allow the use of dogs when hunting.
(2)-(3) [Reserved]
(4) Sport fishing. We allow fishing and crabbing on designated
areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) We allow fishing and crabbing only with pole and line, rod and
reel, or handheld line. We prohibit the use any method not expressly
allowed, including trotlines, setlines, jug lines, limb lines, bows and
arrows, gigs, spears, or crab traps.
(ii) We allow cast netting for bait for personal use along
waterways in areas open to the public and along public roads.
(iii) The conditions set forth at paragraphs (a)(1)(xiii) and (xv)
of this section apply.
(iv) We prohibit mooring to water control structures.
(i) Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge--(1) Migratory game
bird hunting. The refuge is closed to migratory bird hunting, including
shoreline hunting, but retrieval of birds downed by hunters hunting on
nearby navigable waters under State regulations is authorized subject
to the following conditions:
(i) Hunters may not discharge firearms while retrieving waterfowl
on the refuge.
(ii) Access for waterfowl retrieval will be allowed only during
State specified hunting seasons. We only allow hunters to enter the
Laguna Atascosa Unit by boat, and hunters may only enter subunits 3, 4,
5, 7, and 10, for retrieval of downed waterfowl.
(2) [Reserved]
(3) Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer, feral
hog, nilgai antelope, other exotic ungulates, and American alligator on
designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) We allow the incidental take of nilgai antelope, feral hog, and
other rarely observed exotic ungulates (such as fallow deer, axis deer,
sika deer, Barbary sheep, and black buck) during all refuge hunts, with
the exception of American alligator hunts.
(ii) We require hunters to review the refuge hunter orientation
email prior to any refuge hunt activity.
(iii) Bag limits for species hunted on the refuge are provided in
the refuge hunt brochure annually.
(iv) We allow a scouting period prior to the commencement of each
refuge hunt period. A permitted hunter and a limit of two non-permitted
individuals may enter the hunt units during the scouting period, which
begins after hunter orientation and ends at legal sunset. Each hunter
must clearly display a Vehicle Validation Tag (FWS Form 3-2405) face up
on the vehicle dashboard when scouting and hunting.
(v) We allow hunters to enter the refuge 1\1/2\ hours before legal
sunrise during their permitted hunt periods. Hunters must leave the
hunt units no later than 1 hour after State legal shooting hours.
(vi) Hunters may access hunt units only by foot or bicycle,
including electric bicycles. You may only use a bicycle on designated
routes; we prohibit off-road use of a bicycle.
(vii) We allow hunting from portable stands or by stalking and
still hunting. There is a limit of one blind or stand per permitted
hunter. Hunters must attach hunter identification (permit number or
State license number) to the blind or stand. Hunters must remove all
blinds and stands at the end of the permitted hunt period (see Sec.
27.93 of this chapter).
(viii) During American alligator hunts, we allow hunters to leave
hooks set over only one night period at a time; set lines must be
checked daily.
(ix) Hunters must field dress all harvested big game in the field
and check the game at the hunt check station before removal from the
refuge. Hunters may use a nonmotorized cart to assist with the
transportation of harvested game animals.
(x) We prohibit the killing or wounding of a game animal and then
intentionally or knowingly failing to make a reasonable effort to
retrieve and include it in the hunter's bag limit.
(4) Sport fishing. We allow fishing and crabbing on designated
areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
(i) We allow only pole and line, rod and reel, hand line, dip net,
and cast net for fishing. We prohibit the use of crab traps or pots for
crabbing.
(ii) Anglers must attend all fishing lines, crabbing equipment, and
other fishing devices at all times.
(iii) Inside the refuge boundary on San Martin Lake, we allow bank
and wade fishing within a designated area, which may be accessed only
on foot.
* * * * *
[[Page 20618]]
SUBCHAPTER E--MANAGEMENT OF FISHERIES CONSERVATION AREAS
PART 71--HUNTING AND SPORT FISHING ON NATIONAL FISH HATCHERIES
0
16. The authority citation for part 71 continues to read as follows:
Authority: Sec. 4, Pub. L. 73-121, 48 Stat. 402, as amended;
sec. 4, Pub. L. 87-714, 76 Stat. 654; 5 U.S.C. 301; 16 U.S.C. 460k,
664, 668dd, 1534.
0
17. Amend Sec. 71.12 by:
0
a. Redesignating paragraphs (o) through (s) as paragraphs (p) through
(t), respectively; and
0
b. Adding new paragraph (o).
The addition reads as follows:
Sec. 71.12 National fish hatcheries open for sport fishing.
* * * * *
(o) North Attleboro National Fish Hatchery. We allow sport fishing
on designated areas of the hatchery.
* * * * *
Maureen Foster,
Chief of Staff, Exercising the Delegated Authority of the Assistant
Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, Department of the Interior.
[FR Doc. 2025-08621 Filed 5-14-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4333-15-P