50 C.F.R. PART 92—MIGRATORY BIRD SUBSISTENCE HARVEST IN ALASKA
Title 50 - Wildlife and Fisheries
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 703–712.
Source: 67 FR 53517, Aug. 16, 2002, unless otherwise noted.
The regulations in this part implement the Alaska migratory bird subsistence program as provided for in Article II(4)(b) of the 1916 Convention for the Protection of Migratory Birds in Canada and the United States (the “Canada Treaty”), as amended. The Secretary of the Interior issues the regulations in this part under the authority granted to the Secretary by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), 16 U.S.C. 703–712. (a) In general. The regulations in this part apply to all eligible persons harvesting migratory birds and their eggs for subsistence purposes in Alaska between the dates of March 10 and September 1. The provisions in this part do not replace or alter the regulations set forth in part 20 of this chapter, which relate to the hunting of migratory game birds and crows during the regular open season from September 1 through March 10. The provisions set forth in this part implement the exception to the closed season, which authorizes the taking of migratory birds in Alaska for subsistence purposes between March 10 and September 1. (b) Land ownership. This part does not alter the legal authorities of Federal and State land managing agencies or the legal rights of private land owners to close their respective lands to the taking of migratory birds. (c) Federal public lands. The provisions of this part are in addition to, and do not supersede, any other provision of law or regulation pertaining to national wildlife refuges or other federally managed lands. (d) Migratory bird permits. The provisions of this part do not alter the terms of any permit or other authorization issued pursuant to part 21 of this chapter. (e) State laws for the protection of migratory birds. No statute or regulation of the State of Alaska relieves a person from the restrictions, conditions, and requirements contained in this part. Nothing in this part, however, prevents the State of Alaska from making and enforcing laws or regulations that are consistent with the regulations in this part, the conventions between the United States and any foreign country for the protection of migratory birds, and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and that give further protection to migratory birds. The following definitions apply to all regulations contained in this part: Alaska Native means the same as “Native,” defined in section 3(b) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, 16 U.S.C. 1602(b). Co-management Council means the Alaska Migratory Bird Co-management Council, consisting of Alaska Native, Federal, and State of Alaska representatives as equals. Eligible person means an individual within the State of Alaska who qualifies to harvest migratory birds and their eggs for subsistence purposes during the spring and summer. Excluded areas are defined in §92.5. Flyway Council means the Atlantic, Mississippi, Central, or Pacific Flyway Council. Game Management Unit, also referred to simply as Unit, means 1 of the 26 geographical areas listed in the codified State of Alaska hunting and trapping regulations and on maps of the Alaska State Game Management Units. Immediate family means spouse, children, parents, grandchildren, grandparents, and siblings. Included areas are defined in §92.5. Indigenous inhabitant means a permanent resident of a village within a subsistence harvest area, regardless of race. Migratory bird, for the purposes of this part, means the same as defined in §10.12 of subchapter B of this chapter. Species eligible to harvest are listed in §92.32. Native means the same as “Alaska Native” as defined in this section. Nonwasteful taking means making a reasonable effort to retrieve all birds killed or wounded, and retaining such birds in possession between the place where taken and the hunter's permanent or temporary place of residence, or to the location where the birds will be consumed or preserved for food. Partner organization or regional partner means a regional or local organization, or a local or tribal government that has entered into a formal agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the purpose of coordinating the regional programs necessary to involve subsistence hunters in the regulatory process described in this part. Permanent resident means any person whose primary, permanent home for the previous 12 months was within a subsistence harvest area in Alaska. Whenever absent from this primary, permanent home, the person has the intention of returning to it. Factors demonstrating a person's primary, permanent home may include: an address listed on an Alaska Permanent Fund dividend application; an Alaska license to drive, hunt, fish, or engage in an activity regulated by a government entity; voter registration; location of residences owned, rented, or leased; location of stored household goods; the residence of the person's spouse, minor children, or dependents; tax documents; whether the person claims residence in another location for any purpose; or status as a tribal member of a tribe in a subsistence harvest area. Seabirds refers to all bird species listed in §92.32 within the families Alcidae, Laridae, Procellariidae, and Phalacrocoracidae. Service Regulations Committee means the Migratory Bird Regulations Committee of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Shorebirds refers to all bird species listed in §92.32 within the families Charadriidae, Haematopodidae, and Scolopacidae. State means State of Alaska. Subsistence means the customary and traditional harvest or use of migratory birds and their eggs by eligible indigenous inhabitants for their own nutritional and other essential needs. Subsistence harvest areas encompass customary and traditional hunting areas of villages in Alaska that qualify for a spring or summer subsistence harvest of migratory birds under this part. Taxidermy refers to birds preserved and mounted in lifelike representations. Taxidermy does not include preserving bird parts to be integrated into traditional arts and crafts. Village is defined as a permanent settlement with one or more year-round residents. Waterfowl refers to all bird species listed in §92.32 within the family Anatidae. [67 FR 53517, Aug. 16, 2002, as amended at 68 FR 43027, July 21, 2003; 69 FR 17327, Apr. 2, 2004] If you are a permanent resident of a village within a subsistence harvest area, you will be eligible to harvest migratory birds and their eggs for subsistence purposes in the spring and summer. (a) Included areas. Village areas located within the Alaska Peninsula, Kodiak Archipelago, the Aleutian Islands, or in areas north and west of the Alaska Range are subsistence harvest areas, except that villages within these areas not meeting the criteria for a subsistence harvest area as identified in paragraph (c) of this section will be excluded from the spring and summer subsistence harvest. (1) Any person may request the Co-management Council to recommend that an otherwise included area be excluded by submitting a petition stating how the area does not meet the criteria identified in paragraph (c) of this section. The Co-management Council will forward petitions to the appropriate regional management body for review and recommendation. The Co-management Council will then consider each petition and will submit to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service any recommendations to exclude areas from the spring and summer subsistence harvest. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will publish any approved recommendations to exclude areas in subpart D of this part. (2) Based on petitions for inclusion recommended by the Co-management Council in 2003, the Service added the following communities to the included areas under this part starting in the 2004 harvest season: (i) Upper Copper River Region—Gulkana, Gakona, Tazlina, Copper Center, Mentasta Lake, Chitina, Chistochina. (ii) Gulf of Alaska Region—Chugach Community of Tatitlek, Chugach Community of Chenega, Chugach Community of Port Graham, Chugach Community of Nanwalek. (iii) Cook Inlet Region—Tyonek. (iv) Southeast Alaska Region—Hoonah. (3) Based on petitions for inclusion recommended by the Co-management Council in 2004, the Service added the following communities to the included areas under this part starting in the 2005 harvest season: (i) Southeast Region—Craig, Hydaburg, Yakutat. (ii) [Reserved] (b) Excluded areas. Village areas located in Anchorage, the Matanuska-Susitna or Fairbanks North Star Boroughs, the Kenai Peninsula roaded area, the Gulf of Alaska roaded area, or Southeast Alaska generally do not qualify for a spring or summer harvest. Communities located within one of these areas may petition the Co-management Council through their designated regional management body for designation as a spring and summer subsistence harvest area. The petition must state how the community meets the criteria identified in paragraph (c) of this section. The Co-management Council will consider each petition and will submit to the Service any recommendations to designate a community as a spring and summer subsistence harvest area. The Service will publish any approved new designations of communities as spring and summer subsistence harvest areas in subpart D of this part. All areas outside Alaska are ineligible. (c) Criteria for determining designation as a spring and summer subsistence harvest area. A previously excluded community may be included in the spring/summer harvest regulations if recommended by the Alaska Migratory Bird Co-management Council. The Alaska Migratory Bird Co-management Council will recommend designation of subsistence harvest areas based on a deliberative process using the best available information on nutritional and cultural needs and customary and traditional use. The Alaska Migratory Bird Co-management Council recommendations will accommodate traditional spring and summer harvests without creating new traditions or increasing harvest of migratory birds. Recommendations will be made based on the majority of factors and the weight of the evidence using the following criteria: (1) A pattern of use recurring in the spring and summer of each year prior to 1999, excluding interruptions by circumstances beyond the user's control; (2) The consistent harvest and use of migratory birds on or near the user's permanent residence; (3) A use pattern that includes the handing down of knowledge of hunting skills and values from generation to generation; (4) A use pattern in which migratory birds are shared or distributed among others within a definable community of persons; a community for purposes of subsistence uses may include specific villages or towns, with a historical pattern of subsistence use; and (5) A use pattern that includes reliance for subsistence purposes upon migratory birds or their eggs and that meets nutritional and other essential needs including, but not limited to, cultural, social, and economic elements of the subsistence way of life. (d) Participation by permanent residents of excluded areas. Immediate family members who are permanent residents of excluded areas may participate in the customary spring and summer subsistence harvest in a village's subsistence harvest area with the permission of the village council, where it is appropriate to assist indigenous inhabitants in meeting their nutritional and other essential needs or for the teaching of cultural knowledge to or by their immediate family members. Eligibility for participation will be developed and recommended by the Co-management Council and adopted or amended by regulations published in subpart D of this part. [67 FR 53517, Aug. 16, 2002, as amended at 68 FR 43027, July 21, 2003; 69 FR 17327, Apr. 2, 2004; 70 FR 18248, Apr. 8, 2005] You may not sell, offer for sale, purchase, or offer to purchase migratory birds, their parts, or their eggs taken under this part. (a) Eligible persons. Under this part, you may take birds for human consumption only. Harvest and possession of migratory birds must be done using nonwasteful taking. Nonedible byproducts of migratory birds taken for food may be used for other purposes, except that taxidermy is not allowed. (b) Noneligible persons. You may receive portions of birds or their eggs not kept for human consumption from eligible persons only if you have a valid permit issued under 50 CFR 21.27 for scientific research or education, and consistent with the terms and conditions of that permit. [69 FR 17227, Apr. 2, 2004] (a) Establishment. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service hereby establishes, as authorized by the Protocol amending the Canada Treaty, a statewide management body to be known as the Alaska Migratory Bird Co-management Council. (b) Membership. The Co-management Council must include Alaska Native, Federal, and State of Alaska representatives, as equals. (1) The Federal and State governments will each seat one representative. The Federal representative will be appointed by the Alaska Regional Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the State representative will be appointed by the Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Regional partner organizations may seat 1 representative from each of the 12 regions identified in §92.11(a). (2) The Federal and State representatives and the collective Native representatives will each have one vote, for a total of three votes for the entire council. (c) Roles and responsibilities. The Co-management Council is authorized to: (1) Hold public meetings for the purpose of conducting business related to spring and summer subsistence harvest of migratory birds; (2) Develop recommendations for regulations governing the spring and summer subsistence harvest of migratory birds and their eggs; (3) Develop recommendations for, among other things, law enforcement policies, population and harvest monitoring, education programs, research and use of traditional knowledge, and habitat protection; (4) Develop procedures and criteria by which areas and communities can be determined to be eligible or ineligible for a spring/summer subsistence harvest; (5) Provide guidelines to the regional management bodies each year for formulation of annual regulations; (6) Consolidate regional recommendations and resolve interregional differences in order to prepare statewide recommendations; (7) Establish committees to gather or review data, develop plans for Co-management Council actions, and coordinate programs with regional management bodies; (8) Send regional representatives from the Co-management Council to meetings of the Pacific Flyway Council and to meetings of the other Flyway Councils as needed, and to meetings of the Service Regulations Committee; (9) Elect officers; and (10) Conduct other business as the Council may determine is necessary to accomplish its purpose. (d) Meetings. Meetings of the Co-management Council will be open to the public. The Co-management Council will: (1) Hold meetings at least twice annually; (2) Conduct meetings in accordance with bylaws approved by the Co-management Council; (3) Provide an opportunity at each meeting for public comment; (4) Establish the dates, times, and locations of meetings; and (5) Maintain a written record of all meetings. (e) Staff support. Administrative support for the Co-management Council will be provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and will include, but not be limited to: (1) Making arrangements for the meeting rooms and associated logistics related to Co-management Council meetings; (2) Preparing public notices announcing Co-management Council meetings; (3) Maintaining records of discussions and actions taken by the Co-management Council; (4) Coordinating with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to provide technical information needed by the Co-management Council for its deliberations; (5) Preparing documents and gathering information needed by the Co-management Council for its meetings; and (6) Preparing the annual subpart D regulations package recommended by the Co-management Council for submission to the flyway councils and the Service Regulations Committee. [67 FR 53517, Aug. 16, 2002, as amended at 68 FR 43027, July 21, 2003] (a) Regions identified. To allow for maximum participation by residents of subsistence eligible areas, the Alaska Regional Director of the Service established 12 geographic regions based on common subsistence resource use patterns and the 12 Alaska Native regional corporation boundaries established under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. Despite using the Alaska Native regional corporation boundaries, we are not working directly with the regional corporations in this program and are instead working with the Alaska Native nonprofit groups and local governments in those corresponding regions. You may obtain records and maps delineating the boundaries of the 12 regions from the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Alaska State Office, 222 West 7th Ave., No. 13, Anchorage, AK 99513. The regions are identified as follows: (1) Aleutian/Pribilof Islands; (2) Kodiak Archipelago; (3) Bristol Bay; (4) Yukon/Kuskokwim Delta; (5) Bering Strait/Norton Sound; (6) Northwest Arctic; (7) North Slope; (8) Interior; (9) Southeast; (10) Gulf of Alaska; (11) Upper Copper River; and (12) Cook Inlet. (b) Regional partnerships. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will establish partner agreements with at least 1 partner organization in each of the 12 regions. The partner organization identified must be willing and able to coordinate the regional program on behalf of all subsistence hunters within that region. A regional partner will: (1) Organize or identify one or more management bodies within the region in which it is located. (2) Determine how the management body for the region should be organized, the manner in which it should function, its size, who serves on it, the length of terms, methods of involving subsistence users, and other related matters. (3) Coordinate regional meetings and the solicitation of proposals. (4) Ensure appointment of a person to represent the region by serving on the Co-management Council. If a region consists of more than one partner organization, each partner organization may appoint a member to sit on the Co-management Council. (5) Keep the residents of villages within the region informed of issues related to the subsistence harvest of migratory birds. (6) Work cooperatively with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to gather harvest data, numbers of subsistence users, and other management data and traditional knowledge for the benefit of the management bodies. (c) Regional management bodies. (1) Regional management bodies must provide a forum for the collection and expression of opinions and recommendations regarding spring and summer subsistence harvesting of migratory birds. They must develop requests and recommendations from the region to be presented to the Co-management Council for deliberation. They must provide for public participation in the meetings at which recommendations and requests are formulated. (2) Requests and recommendations to the Co-management Council may involve seasons and bag limits, methods and means, law enforcement policies, population and harvest monitoring, education programs, research and use of traditional knowledge, habitat protection, and other concerns related to migratory bird subsistence programs. (3) Regional management bodies may be established specifically for the purpose of carrying out the responsibilities identified in this part, or they may be existing entities that can add these responsibilities to their existing duties. [67 FR 53517, Aug. 16, 2002, as amended at 68 FR 43027, July 21, 2003] (a) Flyway councils. (1) Proposed annual regulations recommended by the Co-management Council will be submitted to all flyway councils for review and comment. The Council's recommendations must be submitted prior to the SRC's last regular meeting of the calendar year in order to be approved for spring/summer harvest beginning March 11 of the following calendar year. (2) Alaska Native representatives may be appointed by the Co-management Council to attend meetings of one or more of the four flyway councils to discuss recommended regulations or other proposed management actions. (b) Service regulations committee. Proposed annual regulations recommended by the Co-management Council will be submitted to the Service Regulations Committee for their review and recommendation to the Service Director. Following the Service Director's review and recommendation, the proposals will be forwarded to the Department of Interior for approval. Proposed annual regulations will then be published in the You may not use the following devices and methods to harvest migratory birds: (a) Swivel guns, shotguns larger than 10 gauge, punt guns, battery guns, machine guns, fish hooks, poisons, drugs, explosives, or stupefying substances; (b) Shooting from a sinkbox or any other type of low-floating device that affords the hunter a means of concealment beneath the surface of the water; (c) Hunting from any type of aircraft; (d) Taking waterfowl and other species using live birds as decoys, except for auklets on Diomede and St. Lawrence islands (Use of live birds as decoys is a customary and traditional means of harvesting auklets on Diomede and St. Lawrence islands.); (e) Hunting with the aid of recorded bird calls; (f) Using any type of vehicle, aircraft, or boat for the purpose of concentrating, driving, rallying, or stirring up of any migratory bird, except boats may be used to position a hunter; (g) Having in possession or using lead or other toxic shot while hunting (Approved nontoxic shot types are listed in §20.21(j) of subchapter B.); (h) Shooting while on or across any road or highway; (i) Using an air boat (Interior and Bristol Bay Regions only) or jet ski (Interior Region only) for hunting or transporting hunters; or (j) Using private or chartered aircraft for hunting or transporting hunters, except for transportation between community airstrips (Unit 18, Yukon/Kuskokwim Delta Region only). [68 FR 43028, July 21, 2003, as amended at 69 FR 17327, Apr. 2, 2004; 70 FR 18248, Apr. 8, 2005; 71 FR 10408, Feb. 28, 2006] (a) The Regional Director, after consultation with the Co-management Council, may close or temporarily suspend any regulation established under subparts C or D of this part: (1) Upon finding that a continuation of the regulation would pose an imminent threat to the conservation of any endangered or threatened species or other migratory bird population; and (2) Upon issuance of local public notice by such means as publication in local newspapers of general circulation, posting of the areas affected, notifying the State wildlife conservation agency, and announcement on the internet and local radio and television. (b) The Service will also announce any such closure or temporary suspension by publication of a notice in the (c) Any closure or temporary suspension under this section will be effective on the date of publication of the [68 FR 43028, July 21, 2003] These regulations establish a spring/summer migratory bird subsistence harvest in Alaska. The regulations list migratory bird species that are authorized for harvest, species that are not authorized for harvest, season dates, and dates for a 30-day closure to protect nesting birds. The Co-management Council will review and, if necessary, recommend modifications to these harvest regulations on an annual basis, working within the schedule of the Federal late-season regulations for migratory game bird hunting. (a) The taking, possession, transportation, and other uses of migratory birds are generally prohibited unless specifically authorized by regulation developed in accordance with the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Therefore, harvesting migratory birds is prohibited unless regulations are established ensuring the protection of the various populations of migratory birds. Migratory bird population levels, production, and habitat conditions vary annually. These conditions differ within Alaska and throughout North America. Therefore, the regulations governing migratory bird hunting may include annual adjustments to keep harvests within acceptable levels. (b) The development of the regulations in this part, like the development of the annual migratory game bird hunting regulations in part 20 of this chapter, involves annual data gathering programs to determine migratory bird population status and trends, evaluate habitat conditions, determine harvests, and consider other factors having an impact on the anticipated size of annual populations. (c) The Service proposes annual migratory game bird hunting regulations in the (d) Sections 92.31 through 92.39 provide for the annual harvest of migratory birds and their eggs during spring and summer for subsistence users in Alaska. [67 FR 53517, Aug. 16, 2002, as amended at 68 FR 43028, July 21, 2003] (a) Because of conservation concerns, you may not harvest birds or gather eggs from the following species in 2006: (1) Spectacled Eider (Somateria fischeri). (2) Steller's Eider (Polysticta stelleri). (3) Emperor Goose (Chen canagica). (4) Aleutian Canada Goose (Branta canadensis leucopareia)—Semidi Islands only. (5) Yellow-billed Loons (Gavia adamsii)—Except in the North Slope Region only, a total of up to 20 yellow-billed loons inadvertently caught in fishing nets may be kept for subsistence purposes. (b) In addition, you may not gather eggs from the following species in 2006: (1) Cackling Canada Goose (Branta canadensis minima). (2) Black Brant (Branta bernicla nigricans)—in the Yukon/Kuskokwim Delta and North Slope regions only. [71 FR 10408, Feb. 28, 2006] You may harvest birds or gather eggs from the following species, listed in taxonomic order, within all included regions. When birds are listed only to the species level, all subspecies existing in Alaska are open to harvest. (a) Family Anatidae (1) Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons). (2) Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens). (3) Lesser Canada Goose (Branta canadensis parvipes). (4) Taverner's Canada Goose (Branta canadensis taverneri). (5) Aleutian Canada Goose (Branta canadensis leucopareia)—except in the Semidi Islands. (6) Cackling Canada Goose (Branta canadensis minima)—except no egg gathering is permitted. (7) Black Brant (Branta bernicla nigricans)—except no egg gathering is permitted in the Yukon/Kuskokwim Delta and the North Slope regions. (8) Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus)—except in Units 9(D) and 10. (9) Gadwall (Anas strepera). (10) Eurasian Wigeon (Anas penelope). (11) American Wigeon (Anas americana). (12) Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos). (13) Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors). (14) Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata). (15) Northern Pintail (Anas acuta). (16) Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca). (17) Canvasback (Aythya valisineria). (18) Redhead (Aythya americana). (19) Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris). (20) Greater Scaup (Aythya marila). (21) Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis). (22) King Eider (Somateria spectabilis). (23) Common Eider (Somateria mollissima). (24) Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus). (25) Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata). (26) White-winged Scoter (Melanitta fusca). (27) Black Scoter (Melanitta nigra). (28) Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis). (29) Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola). (30) Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula). (31) Barrow's Goldeneye (Bucephala islandica). (32) Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus). (33) Common Merganser (Mergus merganser). (34) Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator). (b) Family Gaviidae (1) Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata). (2) Arctic Loon (Gavia arctica). (3) Pacific Loon (Gavia pacifica). (4) Common Loon (Gavia immer). (5) Yellow-billed Loon (Gavia adamsii)—In the North Slope Region only, a total of up to 20 yellow-billed loons inadvertently caught in fishing nets may be kept for subsistence purposes. (c) Family Podicipedidae (1) Horned Grebe (Podiceps auritus). (2) Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena). (d) Family Procellariidae (1) Northern Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis). (2) [Reserved] (e) Family Phalacrocoracidae (1) Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus). (2) Pelagic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax pelagicus). (f) Family Gruidae (1) Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis). (2) [Reserved] (g) Family Charadriidae (1) Black-bellied Plover (Pluvialis squatarola). (2) Common Ringed Plover (Charadrius hiaticula). (h) Family Haematopodidae (1) Black Oystercatcher (Haematopus bachmani). (2) [Reserved] (i) Family Scolopacidae (1) Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca). (2) Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes). (3) Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularia). (4) Bar-tailed Godwit (Limosa lapponica). (5) Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres). (6) Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla). (7) Western Sandpiper (Calidris mauri). (8) Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla). (9) Baird's Sandpiper (Calidris bairdii). (10) Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (Calidris acuminata). (11) Dunlin (Calidris alpina). (12) Long-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus scolopaceus). (13) Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago). (14) Red-necked phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus). (15) Red phalarope (Phalaropus fulicaria). (j) Family Laridae (1) Pomarine Jaeger (Stercorarius pomarinus). (2) Parasitic Jaeger (Stercorarius parasiticus). (3) Long-tailed Jaeger (Stercorarius longicaudus). (4) Bonaparte's Gull (Larus philadelphia). (5) Mew Gull (Larus canus). (6) Herring Gull (Larus argentatus). (7) Slaty-backed Gull (Larus schistisagus). (8) Glaucous-winged Gull (Larus glaucescens). (9) Glaucous Gull (Larus hyperboreus). (10) Sabine's Gull (Xema sabini). (11) Black-legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla). (12) Red-legged Kittiwake (Rissa brevirostris). (13) Ivory Gull (Pagophila eburnea). (14) Arctic Tern (Sterna paradisaea). (15) Aleutian Tern (Sterna aleutica). (k) Family Alcidae (1) Common Murre (Uria aalge). (2) Thick-billed Murre (Uria lomvia). (3) Black Guillemot (Cepphus grylle). (4) Pigeon Guillemot (Cepphus columba). (5) Cassin's Auklet (Ptychoramphus aleuticus). (6) Parakeet Auklet (Aethia psittacula). (7) Least Auklet (Aethia pusilla). (8) Whiskered Auklet (Aethia pygmaea). (9) Crested Auklet (Aethia cristatella). (10) Rhinoceros Auklet (Cerorhinca monocerata). (11) Horned Puffin (Fratercula corniculata). (12) Tufted Puffin (Fratercula cirrhata). (l) Family Strigidae (1) Great Horned Owl (Bubo scandiacus). (2) Snowy Owl (Nyctea scandiaca). [71 FR 10408, Feb. 28, 2006] The 2006 season dates for the eligible subsistence regions are as follows: (a) Aleutian/Pribilof Islands Region. (1) Northern Unit (Pribilof Islands): (i) Season: April 2–June 30. (ii) Closure: July 1–August 31. (2) Central Unit (Aleut Region's eastern boundary on the Alaska Peninsula westward to and including Unalaska Island): (i) Season: April 2–June 15 and July 16–August 31. (ii) Closure: June 16–July 15. (iii) Special Black Brant Season Closure: August 16–August 31, only in Izembek and Moffet lagoons. (iv) Special Tundra Swan Closure: All hunting and egg gathering closed in units 9(D) and 10. (3) Western Unit (Umnak Island west to and including Attu Island): (i) Season: April 2–July 15 and August 16–August 31. (ii) Closure: July 16–August 15. (b) Yukon/Kuskokwim Delta Region. (1) Season: April 2–August 31. (2) Closure: 30-day closure dates to be announced by the Alaska Regional Director or his designee, after consultation with local subsistence users, field biologists, and the Association of Village Council President's Waterfowl Conservation Committee. This 30-day period will occur between June 1 and August 15 of each year. A press release announcing the actual closure dates will be forwarded to regional newspapers and radio and television stations and posted in village post offices and stores. (3) Special Black Brant and Cackling Goose Season Hunting Closure: From the period when egg laying begins until young birds are fledged. Closure dates to be announced by the Alaska Regional Director or his designee, after consultation with field biologists and the Association of Village Council President's Waterfowl Conservation Committee. A press release announcing the actual closure dates will be forwarded to regional newspapers and radio and television stations and posted in village post offices and stores. (4) Special Area Closure: (i) The following described goose nesting colonies are closed to all hunting and egg gathering from the period of nest initiation until young birds are fledged: (A) Kokechik Bay Colony—bounded by 61.61° N to 61.67° N and 165.83° W to 166.08° W; (B) Tutakoke River Colony—bounded by 61.20° N to 61.28° N and 165.08° W to 165.13° W; (C) Kigigak Island Colony—bounded by island's edge; (D) Baird Peninsula Colony—bounded by 60.87° N to 60.91° N and 164.65° W to 165.80° W, and (E) Baird Island Colony—bounded by island's edge. (ii) Closure dates to be announced by the Alaska Regional Director or his designee, after consultation with field biologists and the Association of Village Council President's Waterfowl Conservation Committee. A press release announcing the actual closure dates will be forwarded to regional newspapers and radio and television stations and posted in village post offices and stores. (c) Bristol Bay Region. (1) Season: April 2–June 14 and July 16–August 31 (general season); April 2–July 15 for seabird egg gathering only. (2) Closure: June 15–July 15 (general season); July 16–August 31 (seabird egg gathering). (d) Bering Strait/Norton Sound Region. (1) Stebbins/St. Michael Area (Point Romanof to Canal Point): (i) Season: April 15–June 14 and July 16–August 31. (ii) Closure: June 15–July 15. (2) Remainder of the region: (i) Season: April 2–June 14 and July 16–August 31 for waterfowl; April 2–July 19 and August 21–August 31 for all other birds. (ii) Closure: June 15–July 15 for waterfowl; July 20–August 20 for all other birds. (e) Kodiak Archipelago Region, except for the Kodiak Island roaded area, is closed to the harvesting of migratory birds and their eggs. The closed area consists of all lands and waters (including exposed tidelands) east of a line extending from Crag Point in the north to the west end of Saltery Cove in the south and all lands and water south of a line extending from Termination Point along the north side of Cascade Lake extending to Anton Larson Bay. Waters adjacent to the closed area are closed to harvest within 500 feet from the water's edge. The offshore islands are open to harvest. (1) Season: April 2–June 20 and July 22–August 31; egg gathering: May 1–June 20 only. (2) Closure: June 21–July 21. (f) Northwest Arctic Region. (1) Season: April 2–June 9 and August 15–August 31 (in general); waterfowl egg gathering May 20–June 9 only; seabird egg gathering July 3–July 12 only; molting/non-nesting waterfowl July 1–July 31 only. (2) Closure: June 10–August 14, except for the taking of seabird eggs and molting/non-nesting waterfowl as provided in paragraph (f)(1) of this section. (g) North Slope Region. (1) Southern Unit (Southwestern North Slope regional boundary east to Peard Bay, everything west of the longitude line 158°30' S and south of the latitude line 70°45' E to the west bank of the Ikpikpuk River, and everything south of the latitude line 69°45' E between the west bank of the Ikpikpuk River to the east bank of Sagavinirktok River): (i) Season: April 2–June 29 and July 30–August 31 for seabirds; April 2–June 19 and July 20–August 31 for all other birds. (ii) Closure: June 30–July 29 for seabirds; June 20–July 19 for all other birds. (2) Northern Unit (At Peard Bay, everything east of the longitude line 158°30' S and north of the latitude line 70°45' E to west bank of the Ikpikpuk River, and everything north of the latitude line 69°45' E between the west bank of the Ikpikpuk River to the east bank of Sagavinirktok River): (i) Season: April 6–June 6 and July 7–August 31 for king and common eiders and April 2—June 15 and July 16—August 31 for all other birds. (ii) Closure: June 7–July 6 for king and common eiders; June 16–July 15 for all other birds. (3) Eastern Unit (East of eastern bank of the Sagavanirktok River): (i) Season: April 2–June 19 and July 20–August 31. (ii) Closure: June 20–July 19. (4) All Units: yellow-billed loons. Annually, a total of up to 20 yellow-billed loons may be caught inadvertently in subsistence fishing nets in the North Slope Region and kept for subsistence use. Individuals must report each yellow-billed loon inadvertently caught while subsistence gill net fishing to the North Slope Borough Department of Wildlife Management by the end of the season. (h) Interior Region. (1) Season: April 2–June 14 and July 16–August 31; egg gathering May 1–June 14 only. (2) Closure: June 15–July 15. (i) Upper Copper River (Harvest Area: State of Alaska Game Management Units 11 and 13) (Eligible communities: Gulkana, Chitina, Tazlina, Copper Center, Gakona, Mentasta Lake, Chistochina and Cantwell). (1) Season: April 15–May 26 and June 27–August 31. (2) Closure: May 27–June 26. (3) The Copper River Basin communities listed above also documented traditional use harvesting birds in Unit 12, making them eligible to hunt in this unit using the seasons specified in paragraph (h) of this section. (j) Gulf of Alaska Region. (1) Prince William Sound Area (Harvest area: Unit 6 [D]), (Eligible Chugach communities: Chenega Bay, Tatitlek). (i) Season: April 2–May 31 and July 1–August 31. (ii) Closure: June 1–30. (2) Kachemak Bay Area (Harvest area: Unit 15[C] South of a line connecting the tip of Homer Spit to the mouth of Fox River) (Eligible Chugach Communities: Port Graham, Nanwalek). (i) Season: April 2–May 31 and July 1–August 31. (ii) Closure: June 1–30. (k) Cook Inlet (Harvest area: Portions of Unit 16[B] as specified below) (Eligible communities: Tyonek only). (1) Season: April 2–May 31—That portion of Unit 16(B) south of the Skwentna River and west of the Yentna River, and August 1–31—That portion of Unit 16(B) south of the Beluga River, Beluga Lake, and the Triumvirate Glacier. (2) Closure: June 1–July 31. (l) Southeast Alaska. (1) Community of Hoonah (Harvest area: National Forest lands in Icy Strait and Cross Sound, including Middle Pass Rock near the Inian Islands, Table Rock in Cross Sound, and other traditional locations on the coast of Yakobi Island. The land and waters of Glacier Bay National Park remain closed to all subsistence harvesting [50 CFR Part 100.3]). (i) Season: glaucous-winged gull egg gathering only: May 15–June 30. (ii) Closure: July 1–August 31. (2) Communities of Craig and Hydaburg (Harvest area: Small islands and adjacent shoreline of western Prince of Wales Island from Point Baker to Cape Chacon, but also including Coronation and Warren islands). (i) Season: glaucous-winged gull egg gathering only: May 15–June 30. (ii) Closure: July 1–August 31. (3) Community of Yakutat (Harvest area: Icy Bay [Icy Cape to Pt. Riou], and coastal lands and islands bordering the Gulf of Alaska from Pt. Manby southeast to Dry Bay. (i) Season: glaucous-winged gull egg gathering only: May 15–June 30. (ii) Closure: July 1–August 31. [71 FR 10408, Feb. 28, 2006]
Title 50: Wildlife and Fisheries
PART 92—MIGRATORY BIRD SUBSISTENCE HARVEST IN ALASKA
Section Contents
§ 92.1 Purpose of regulations.
§ 92.2 Authority.
§ 92.3 Applicability and scope.
§ 92.4 Definitions.
§ 92.5 Who is eligible to participate?
§ 92.6 Use and possession of migratory birds.
§§ 92.7-92.9 [Reserved]
§ 92.10 Alaska Migratory Bird Co-management Council.
§ 92.11 Regional management areas.
§ 92.12 Relationship to the process for developing national hunting regulations for migratory game birds.
§§ 92.13-92.19 [Reserved]
§ 92.20 Methods and means.
§ 92.21 Emergency closures.
§§ 92.22-92.29 [Reserved]
§ 92.30 General overview of regulations.
§ 92.31 Migratory bird species closed to subsistence harvest.
§ 92.32 Subsistence migratory bird species.
§ 92.33 Region-specific regulations.
Subpart A—General Provisions
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§ 92.1 Purpose of regulations.
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§ 92.2 Authority.
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§ 92.3 Applicability and scope.
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§ 92.4 Definitions.
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§ 92.5 Who is eligible to participate?
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§ 92.6 Use and possession of migratory birds.
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§§ 92.7-92.9 [Reserved]
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Subpart B—Program Structure
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§ 92.10 Alaska Migratory Bird Co-management Council.
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§ 92.11 Regional management areas.
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§ 92.12 Relationship to the process for developing national hunting regulations for migratory game birds.
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§§ 92.13-92.19 [Reserved]
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Subpart C—General Regulations Governing Subsistence Harvest
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§ 92.20 Methods and means.
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§ 92.21 Emergency closures.
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§§ 92.22-92.29 [Reserved]
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Subpart D—Annual Regulations Governing Subsistence Harvest
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§ 92.30 General overview of regulations.
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§ 92.31 Migratory bird species closed to subsistence harvest.
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§ 92.32 Subsistence migratory bird species.
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§ 92.33 Region-specific regulations.
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