Abundance of geese offers opportunity for hunters

Monday will signal the fifth consecutive year that hunters in Southeast Missouri will have the opportunity to take an active part in preserving arctic waterfowl habitat.

Missouri is one of 24 states targeted by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service for participation in special measures to reduce North America's snow goose population.

A "light goose" conservation order will be in effect from Monday through April 30. Light geese include lesser snow (both the white and blue phase) as well as Ross' geese.

Snow geese have become so plentiful in recent years that they're damaging their arctic nesting habitat. Since the 1970s the mid-continent population of lesser snow geese has increased by about 5 percent per year to a population numbering in the millions.

The birds, which pull up plant roots when above ground vegetation is exhausted, are literally eating away the fragile arctic tundra habitat. A third of the area is so heavily overgrazed that biologists believe it is unlikely to recover in our lifetime. Wildlife biologists say a 50 percent reduction in the snow goose population is needed to prevent the birds from destroying all of the nesting area.

They say the best way to accomplish this population reduction is by hunting.

In 1999, the federal government approved legislation to enact a conservation order allowing hunters to take snow geese beyond the regular hunting season. The legislation also allows state wildlife agencies to permit hunting methods that are not normally allowed.

The regular season for snow geese in Southeast Missouri closes Sunday. When the conservation order starts Monday, hunters will be allowed to utilize methods that are not allowed under normal circumstances. These include :

The use of electronic calls and unplugged shotguns.

Hunters mhey may continue to shoot up to a half hour after sunset.

There is no daily or possession limit.

In addition, a valid Missouri migratory bird hunting permit is the only permit required for both resident and non-resident hunters.

Even with the relaxation of the above methods, hunters should be aware of regular-season regulations that remain in effect during the conservation order. It remains illegal to take (or attempt to take) geese with the aid or use of any motor driven land conveyance. Likewise, it is illegal to attempt to take geese by shooting from or across a public roadway.

No person may give, put, or leave geese at any place or in the custody of another person unless the birds are tagged by the hunter with the following information: the hunter's signature and address, the total number of geese, and the date such birds were killed.

All shotgun shells possessed or used while hunting geese must be loaded with material approved as nontoxic by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The use of rifles or pistols is not permitted.

Any person who kills or injures geese must make a reasonable effort to retrieve the birds and take them into his/her possession; however, this does not authorize trespass.

While on the subject of trespass, hunters should obtain permission before entering private property. The fact that a particular location may not be posted with signs doesn't give a person the authority to enter upon that property.

One final note: Be sure to identify your target as a blue, snow, or Ross' goose. Don't forget that the season for Canada and white-fronted geese closes Sunday. Canada geese are easily identified and rarely mix with snow geese. However, white-fronted geese more closely resemble blue geese and sometimes accompany the blue and snow geese so be sure of your target before firing.

Another note: Successful hunters often "breast out" their geese. Use discretion when disposing of the carcass.

Piles of breasted snow geese dumped off bridges at creek crossings is not only unsightly but can send a negative message to non-hunters.

Gene Myers is an agent for the Missouri Department of Conservation.