An embarrassment of riches: Too many geese
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Authors: C. D. Ankney
Date: 1996
Journal: Journal of Wildlife Management
Volume: 60
Number: 2
Pages: 217-223
Summary of Methods: This invited paper presents the theory that populations of several goose species in North America have grown to levels where they have become an economic and ecological problem. This is based on studies from Ontario, Quebec, Alaska, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Missouri.
Article Summary / Main Points: Populations of several goose species [Canada geese (Branta canadensis maxima), greater snow geese (Chen caerulescens atlantica), and lesser snow geese (C.c. caerulescens)] have increased exponentially during the past 30 years and are now causing serious ecological and/or economic problems on breeding and/or wintering areas. Attempts to control the exploding numbers through increased harvest have had little effect. Creative, new approaches to increase harvests must be made available to managers. The regulation not allowing hunting from March 11-August 31 and limiting the season to 3.5 months on waterfowl should be eliminated. Legalization of the commercial sale of waterfowl across Canada and the US would increase the number of birds harvested and bring populations down to controllable levels. Any management practice that concentrate snow geese and thereby reduce harvests should be discontinued.
Vegetation Types: Riparian and Wetlands
MLRA Ecoregions: Not Applicable
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Rangelands Geese
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Scientific Opinion
Keywords: canada geese, branta canadensis, chen caerulescens, ross' geese, snow geese, chen rossii, hunting, overpopulation
Annotation: The applicability of this study to grazing land managers is limited as usually ungulates are more common.
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