justnorth posted on August 02, 2005 21:45 :: 1445 Views
MADISON -- Hunters anxious for the fall waterfowl hunting seasons should have excellent opportunities to get in some early goose hunting during the 2005 Wisconsin Early Canada Goose Hunting Season that runs from Sept. 1 through 15.
The early September hunt is directed toward a population of geese that breed locally, often referred to as “resident” or “giant” Canada geese. The season is held prior to the arrival of migrant Canada geese from Ontario.
“The prospects for the early season are good. Our breeding pair estimates were above the long term average and reports from around the state indicated that locally nesting geese had very good reproduction this year,” says Kent Van Horn, Department of Natural Resources waterfowl ecologist.
The daily bag and possession limits are five Canada geese daily and 10 in possession statewide; there are no subzones with different bag limits.
This is the sixth year Wisconsin has held an Early September Canada goose season, and more hunters are joining in on this hunt each year, Van Horn says. Hunters participating in the 2004 early season harvested 13,746 geese, up from 8,800 harvested in 2003.
Originally the season was held only in southeastern Wisconsin, where this population of geese is viewed by some as a growing nuisance in urban areas. But the season has been held statewide since 2000.
“During this early season, hunters need to think differently than they would during October goose hunting because the geese are using different areas. They need to scout ahead on early season movements of birds among early crop harvests, water resting places and areas of mowed grass. I encourage people to look for new areas to seek permission to hunt during the early season than you might during later fall hunting.”
A significant change this year is that the season will be open over the three-day Labor Day weekend, allowing three more days of hunting during this early period.
“Hunters also need to remember that there are many other folks spending time outdoors during early September,” Han Horn says, “so we need to be considerate of other recreationists.”
Other than Canada geese and mourning doves, no other species of Migratory Game Bird may be taken from Sept. 1-15.
In addition to a Wisconsin hunting license, hunters must possess: an Early September Canada Goose Hunting Permit (available for $3 from DNR offices and license vendors through the season); a Federal Migratory Bird Stamp; a Wisconsin Waterfowl Stamp Privilege; and a valid hunter education certificate (if born on or after Jan. 1, 1973). Additionally, hunters must also report each goose taken within 48 hours of the harvest by calling 1-800-99-GOOSE (1-800-994-6673).
2005 Early September Canada Goose regulations are available at license agents and on-line on the wildlife regulations page of the DNR Web site.
Early goose hunters must be HIP registered
All migratory game bird hunters, including those participating in the early September season, must be registered with the Harvest Information Program (HIP) before they can hunt migratory game birds (ducks, geese, woodcock, coots, rails, snipe, and gallinule). Hunters can register for HIP free of charge at most license vendors.
The HIP registration helps federal and state wildlife officials determine the number of hunters and harvest levels of migratory game birds.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Kent Van Horn (608) 266-8841 or Allison Oberc (608) 261-6458
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