Indiana: Experimental Urban Canada Goose Hunting Season
This coming February 1st through the 15th an experimental Canada goose hunting season will be offered in selected areas. The test is an attempt at controlling the population of geese in and around urban areas around the state. But don’t think you’ll be setting up a blind in a local park. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) chose February because that’s when geese are more likely to leave urban areas for agricultural spots outside of towns and cities to feed. Urban park ponds are usually frozen solid and snow cover hides green grasses. According to the DNR populations of breeding Canada geese have leveled off to some
125,000 birds. The target population in urban areas is 80,000. The bag limit for this experimental season is five Canada geese per day, with a season limit of 10. The same regulations and restrictions that apply during the September season apply during this February season.
Here’s a list of the counties slated for the February season:
- Steuben
- LaGrange
- Elkhart
- St. Joseph
- La Porte
- Starke
- Marshall
- Kosciusko
- Noble
- De Kalb
- Allen
- Whitley
- Huntington
- Wells
- Adams
- Boone
- Hamilton
- Madison
- Hendricks
- Marion
- Hancock
- Morgan
- Johnson
- Shelby
- Vermillion
- Parke
- Vigo
- Clay
- Sullivan
- Greene
Comments
Looks like Indiana waterfowl hunters get a belated Christmas present. Overal waterfowl numbers have increased over 45% percent according to DU. Even here in British Columbia we see a lot more ducks and geese in the winter than in previous years.
-ov-
Posted by: Othmar Vohringer | January 6, 2008 02:43 AM
I think that's awesome. We have quite the abundance of geese in Ohio as well. If my understanding is correct, I believe Maryland issued a protection on geese, which has led to an increase in population in other areas. The population has boomed in PA and Ohio...and it sounds like Indiana as well...
Posted by: deerPhD | January 6, 2008 07:34 PM