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DES MOINES -- "Goose hunters can look forward to a good season in 1999," predects Guy Zenner, DNR waterfowl research biologist.
Following the recommendations of the four flyway councils, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently dropped harvest restrictions in parts of the flyway. "As a result of increases in subarctic nesting Canada goose populations and the forecast for better than average production, the bag limit for Canada geese in Iowa will once again be two birds per day throughout the entire season," said Zenner.
This is a change from last year where the daily bag limit was one and the possession limit 2 for a portion of the season.
"Interior Canada goose populations, such as the Eastern Prairie Population (EPP) that nests in northern Manitoba, have improved significantly from 1998," said Zenner. An unusually warm spring allowed many of the arctic and subarctic nesting populations of geese to get an early start this year. "Spring weather is a big factor in determining how well these geese reproduce. This past spring was very early around Hudson Bay and in the central Arctic. We needed this kind of boost for the EPP as well as other Canada goose flocks nesting around Hudson Bay."
In contrast to recent years, giant Canada goose production in Iowa varied considerably across the state. Several environmental factors appeared to have combined to suppress Canada goose production in northwest and northcentral Iowa. "Some of the highest numbers of nesting Canada geese are usually found in the prairie pothole region of northcentral and northwest Iowa," Zenner said. "This year, however, both numbers of nesting geese and goslings are down significantly in this region. Fortunately, goose production increased in other parts of the state, so the statewide population is still holding its own."
"Canada goose hunters may want to do a little more preseason scouting than they have in the past," Zenner advised. "Given the higher than usual amounts of precipitation we had this spring and summer and the variable production from local geese, hunters may find their usual opening day spot somewhat less than optimum this year."
A two-day special Canada goose season will open in part of the north waterfowl-hunting zone Sept. 11-12. The regular Canada goose season will open in both the north and south zones on Oct. 2. In the south zone on Oct. 10 the season will close and reopen again Oct. 16 and remain open until Dec. 15. In the north zone, the Canada goose season will remain open until Dec. 10.
"While the unusually early arctic spring was good for Canada goose populations, it also enabled snow and Ross’ goose populations to produce bumper crops of young birds," Zenner said. "As a result, the fall flights of mid-continent light geese will be larger than ever. Consequently, these burgeoning goose populations will likely further degrade the already over-grazed arctic salt marshes."
"The flyway councils, Canadian Wildlife Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and numerous private wildlife organizations such as Ducks Unlimited and the Audubon Society, have concluded that the population of mid-continent light geese must be reduced to halt the destruction of coastal arctic habitats," Zenner added.
Last spring, the Service and some states in the Central and Mississippi Flyways took actions to increase the harvest of light geese. In Iowa, the electronic calls and unplugged guns were allowed during the late split of the light goose season and additional days were provided from March 11 and April 16 for taking light geese. "Although this was a relatively small first step, these actions appear to have the potential to significantly increase harvests of light geese and bring this population under control," Zenner said.
These actions were terminated, however, when the U.S. Humane Society filed a lawsuit against the Service alleging it had not complied with the requirements of the National Environmental Protection Act before publishing rules to permit the taking of light geese after March 10. As a result of this lawsuit, the Service recently withdrew the rules allowing the use of electronic calls and unplugged guns for taking light geese and the taking of light geese after March 10 and began preparation of a full-blown environmental impact statement (EIS). The Service plans to have this EIS completed by early 2001, at which time it would again take action to reduce the mid-continent light goose populations.
"In the meantime, some new action has occurred in Congress that could change the Service’s strategy. A bill was recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives that would allow the Service to permit the taking of light geese after March 10 and permit the use of electronic calls and unplugged guns while the Service prepares the EIS," said Zenner. The EIS would have to be completed by May 2001. If the Senate also passes this bill, actions to reduce the mid-continent light goose population could be put in place for the late segment of the snow goose season in Iowa next year (Feb. 19 – March 10, 2000).
"Waterfowlers should closely watch the development of this legislation and any regulations changes that may result," said Zenner.
Uploaded: 8/19/1999
Uploaded: 8/19/1999