For more then a decade now, waterfowlers have been trying to reduce the number of Light Geese in North America. Light Geese are the target species due to the degradation of subarctic breading grounds. This group of waterfowl consists of three separate species; the Lesser Snow Goose, The Greater Snow Goose, and the Ross Goose. The Snow goose is also known as the blue goose, they are often mistaken as separate species because of the difference in plumage colors. The Blue Goose has a grayish blue plumage with a white head; where as the Snow Goose has a white body with black tipped wings. Regardless of the effort to reduce light goose populations through conservation seasons, the population is remaining steady and healthy.
Though we have had Light Goose conservation seasons for a number of years, the snow goose population has thrived well through these management techniques. Stopping the degradation of subarctic habitat is crucial for species diversity of waterfowl and other wildlife. Management techniques for Light Geese come from the rate of recovery in subarctic nesting grounds. Light Geese are destroying subarctic habitats faster than the rate of recovery. Snow Geese are now expanding into uncommon habitats like trees and forested habitat. The need for conservation seasons is essential in managing Light Goose populations.
The main and most efficient way in managing populations is through conservation seasons. Waterfowlers are the key in reducing the number of Light Geese in North America. An estimated 700,000 Light Geese are taken annually, and yet the population stays steady and healthy. The reason we have conservation seasons is to reduce the number of Light Geese, not keep the population at an overabundance. There have been few proposals in management techniques for Light Goose populations, mainly because of cost and time. Some of the techniques that have been proposed are massive live captures to chemical avicides, both of which are very time consuming and expensive. Management techniques can be very skeptical not only because of time and money, but also the public view and attitudes towards the problem.
Much of the harvested snow geese are taken from avid waterfowlers that have an unexplainable passion for waterfowling. The most effective tool in reducing the number of Light Geese is easily the sportsman of North America. This is a group of people with very similar interests, passions, and determination to keep the wildlife and their habitat pristine for not only ourselves but future generations. There are few options in limiting the number of Light Geese in North America, yet the only efficient method is through conservation seasons for waterfowl hunters. Until we have recovery of subarctic nesting grounds, we need to keep close attention to the unique and adaptable Light Geese. We can be certain there will be a spring conservation season for Light Geese in the coming years, what we are uncertain about is the amount of time it will take for Light Geese to decline to an appropriate population
3 comments:
You make a good point. The power of hunters in conservation is often overlooked as a management strategy. It is important to consider the idea that opening more opportunities for hunting wont necessarily mean more geese will be killed. Hunters wont automatically flock to the hunting grounds simply because they can. The hunting community in general is very resistant to change; however, I definitely like the idea of hunting as an effective management strategy.
Personally, I could dream up far more effective means of reducing light goose populations than E-callers and unplugged shotguns. My point is if these birds are really as destructive as your sources claim, more efficent means of population control would be utilized. We can keep blasting away, but the numbers killed by hunters are probably a drop in the bucket and have little bearing on the management equation. We are not as good at hunting those things as we think we are, as is evidenced by the lopsided ratio of juvinile to adult birds killed each year. The breeders are getting through and less competition in the breeding grounds mean bigger broods and better recruitment. If you really want to reduce light goose numbers, its going to take a lot more than sportsman.
I agree with you in the sense that managers have somewhat backed themselves into a corner regarding the population control techniques at their disposal. A passionate group like waterfowlers would respond very negativley to reports that light geese are being poisoned, blown up, or killed by any means other than lethal doses of non toxic shot. However the fact that none of these options have been applied leads me to wonder if we are really killing snows to save the tundra.
William I understand where you are coming from, and if you can "dream up far more effective ways in reducing light goose populations" I would like to know them, as far as I know any other management technique would be very time consuming and expensive. If you think about it, us waterfowlers are paying for the lisences and doing our part in reducing the population. Now if you can tell me another way the the DNR can limit light goose populations without putting in any man hours or funding, I would really like to know......
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