SD GFP NEWS FOR 2-12-09

Canada Goose Season to Close, Light Goose Season Opens

PIERRE, S.D.- Friday marks the close of South Dakota’s Canada goose season along the Missouri River.  However, goose hunters won’t have to wait long for another goose season as Saturday opens the light goose conservation order. The conservation order is an attempt to reduce the population of mid-continent light geese causing extensive damage to their arctic nesting grounds. In the most recent 4-year period, hunters in South Dakota bagged an estimated 105,000 light geese annually during the spring conservation order. 

Hunters of snow, blue and Ross’ geese will have from February 14 to May 3 to harvest geese.  Hunters can use electronic calls, shotguns capable of carrying more than 3 shells, and can hunt from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.  The daily limit is 20 light geese, which may include any combination of snows, blues and Ross’ geese.  Hunters should verify that they have the proper 2009 license before they enter the fields.  The federal waterfowl stamp is not required during the light goose conservation order.

“Historically, snow geese will begin migrating through the eastern third of South Dakota beginning in late February,” said Spencer Vaa, State Waterfowl Biologist for SD Game Fish and Parks.  “Hunters in central South Dakota have seen more light geese in recent years however.”

For more information on the light goose conservation order and migration updates, visit http://www.sdgfp.info/Wildlife/hunting/waterfowl/Springgoose.htm

-GFP-