Allow special light goose hunting methods when and where appropriate and utilize the Light Goose Spring Conservation Hunting Season if allowed by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Background/Justification:
The use of farmland for foraging has increased the carrying capacity of the wintering and staging ranges of the greater snow goose population. This has led to conflict with agricultural interests, and with the rapid increase of the population, grazing pressure on many natural marshes remains high. Since 1998, the conditions of natural habitats used by the greater snow goose have not changed significantly and no additional degradation has been observed. However, it is difficult to determine if this situation is associated with the stabilization of the population size, the effect of possibly more favorable weather conditions in recent years (especially in the Arctic region), or to an increased use of farmland during the migration and wintering periods.
With the aim of determining a suitable target population size based on ecological and social considerations, a recent study showed that a spring population ranging from 500,000 to 750,000 would result in optimal benefits to society. The Atlantic Flyway 2007 spring population estimate was 1,019,000 birds. Thus, the liberalization of light goose hunting regulations is intended to increase the harvest of light geese, particularly greater snow geese, with the goal of reducing the greater snow goose population to a more optimal population level. Implementation of spring conservation hunting regulations for light geese may increase the greater snow goose harvest in the U.S. portion of the Atlantic Flyway sufficiently to reach the optimal population size.
Regular 107-Day Light
Goose Hunting Season
Preliminary Statewide Dates for 2008-2009:
October 11 - November 28, 2008 and December 2, 2008 - February 14, 2009
Legal Goose Species:
Greater snow goose, lesser snow goose (white and blue phase), and Ross’s goose.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits:
15 per day and no possession limit.
Light Goose Spring Conservation Hunting Season (Conservation Order)
Preliminary Statewide Dates:
February 16 - April 11, 2009
Licenses and Special Permits:
All normal hunting licenses and permits for waterfowl hunting EXCEPT: A Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (e.g., federal duck stamp) is NOT required and a free Spring Light Goose Conservation Season Permit is required.
Legal Goose Species:
Greater snow goose, lesser snow goose (white and blue phase), and Ross’s goose.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits: No daily or possession limit on light geese.
Shooting Hours:
Shooting hours for 2009 Spring Light Goose Hunting Season shall be from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset each day.
Special Hunting Methods:
Electronic calls as well as shotguns (no larger than 10 gauge) capable of holding in excess of 3 shells may be used to take light geese during the 2009 Spring Light Goose Hunting Season.
Special Hunting Methods:
Electronic calls, unplugged shotguns and extended shooting hours to one-half hour after sunset would be employed during the regular season only in areas and at times when other waterfowl seasons are closed.
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