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Post by bsutravis on Apr 20, 2008 5:10:00 GMT -5
From the IDNR Website:
Experimental goose season was successful
An experimental late Canada goose hunting season in 30 Indiana counties got off to a flying start with hunters bagging almost 4,800 birds during the 15-day season that began Feb. 1.
"I'm really happy with how the first year went," said Adam Phelps, waterfowl research biologist for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. "I don't think it could have been better."
Phelps said 81.7 percent of the geese that hunters submitted to check stations were giant Canada geese, the primary target of the three-year experimental season aimed at reducing their populations in and around urban areas.
"The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service mandates 80 percent, so we're good," Phelps said.
If Indiana stays above 80 percent for the three-year period, it can petition the USFWS to allow a permanent late season.
"We'd be able to do those 30 counties every year, there'd be no special permits required, no mandatory check stations," Phelps said. "All that stuff would go away."
The DNR issued free special permits to 4,231 hunters, who were required to also have a valid Indiana hunting license, Indiana and federal waterfowl stamps, and a Harvest Information Program (HIP) number to participate in the late season.
Hunters had a daily bag limit of five Canada geese and a possession limit of 10, and they were required to report every goose killed. At designated check stations, DNR staff determined the age and sex of each bird, removed the heads and submitted them to the Bloomington office for additional data collection. Skull measurements were used to determine the proportion of giant Canada geese in the overall harvest.
The 3,705 Canada geese checked in included 2,048 adults, 1,278 juveniles and 379 of unknown age. An estimated 1,122 additional geese not taken to check stations were reported in follow-up hunter surveys.
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timdog
Junior Member
Posts: 42
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Post by timdog on Apr 21, 2008 12:20:04 GMT -5
What BSU? No additional comments from you about how things should be run?
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Post by bsutravis on Apr 26, 2008 3:20:42 GMT -5
Someone else is working on that report...... But thank you for asking!
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Post by 10point on Apr 28, 2008 13:30:15 GMT -5
From the IDNR Website: An estimated 1,122 additional geese not taken to check stations were reported in follow-up hunter surveys. Interesting, over 11 hundred birds not checked in. |
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Post by duff on Apr 28, 2008 17:59:56 GMT -5
That's just an estimate. And >25% of the checked in harvest. Wonder how they estimated that?
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Post by johnc911 on Apr 28, 2008 19:17:08 GMT -5
What BSU? No additional comments from you about how things should be run? What the heck is that suspose to mean care to explain that. Timedog |
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timdog
Junior Member
Posts: 42
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Post by timdog on Apr 29, 2008 8:20:41 GMT -5
What BSU? No additional comments from you about how things should be run? What the heck is that suspose to mean care to explain that. Timedog He seemed extremely critical of how the process went down, so was amazed there weren't any "additional" comments. |
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Post by hountzmj on Apr 29, 2008 8:39:25 GMT -5
I could be wrong but I am pretty sure that all of Travis's comments have been of the constructive variety.
He's trying to make the season better for everyone... DNR and hunters alike.
--hountzmj
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timdog
Junior Member
Posts: 42
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Post by timdog on Apr 29, 2008 9:55:28 GMT -5
BSU responded to the comment, didn't know anything else was needed from his crew. I wasn't trying to cause controversy, was merely making an observation. Everybody has their own opinions on how things should be run, the IDNR, etc.
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Post by bsutravis on Apr 30, 2008 10:18:56 GMT -5
timdog...... Here is the opening paragraph to my post in regards to the Feb Season: "The Central Indiana Chapter of Delta Waterfowl is compiling opinions on how you feel that the February Goose Season went. We're looking for constructive comments (no whining) about how you feel it can be improved, things you liked, things that can make it work better. We'd like to hear how the entire process went for you, from the permit procedure, to the experience at the check in stations. Please be courteous and detailed in your comments..... don't just put, "The permit process didn't work..." put HOW it didn't work for you, and what you think they can do to make it better next year." I'm just curious as to where in that was I critical of season, process, or IDNR?  As your post states that you weren't trying to cause controversy, but your observation seems to be off base. |
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timdog
Junior Member
Posts: 42
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Post by timdog on Apr 30, 2008 14:53:46 GMT -5
Sorry, this was from another forum I was browsing. Is this not you? I see comments on season, process, and IDNR in there.
"My first thought was for IDNR to utilize the same system that is used to apply for Special & Reserved hunts, through the Indiana Outdoors License section on the IDNR website. If they couldn't do that due to money reasons, a PDF form could easily be downloaded and filled out by the hunter and kept for the season duration, then sent into Adam Phelps, or wherever along with the survey. They could tie the Goose Permit in with the hunters license number and/or HIP number so the IDNR could cross reference the Permit with the licensed hunter if needed.
Check in Stations in every county that has a February season. IMO waterfowl hunters are the most honest group among the hunting community, but the distance that some were forced to travel to check geese in was asking too much. Town / City municipalities can be utilized as check points, County fairgrounds could be used, check in stations do not have to be at IDNR properties.
IDNR should train, and utilize willing conservation groups ie. Delta Waterfowl, Waterfowl USA, Ducks Unlimited to aid and help in the check in process. We are here to help waterfowl, and most groups would be willing to help if asked in some fashion.
One thing I ran into in the check in process was the time it took to check the geese. Personnel closely looked at the wing feathers to determine the age of the goose, as well as some other items such as the coloration of the feathers on the neck area. One experience took well over 25 minutes to check in 5 geese, which IMO is too long. IDNR should examine the possibility of cutting off one of the wings, along with the head.....then sex the goose, and the hunter could be released to leave. THEN the personnel could scrutinize the wing feathers to determine if the bird is mature or a juvenile......after the hunter has been released so that he isn't standing there wasting his time as a determination is made. I personally enjoyed watching the process, but I can see some guys getting ticked if the process took very long.
Next.... post all information on the Feb. Season in the '08-'09 Hunter Guide, release press releases, and post information on the major Indiana hunting website forums when issues arise and information needs to get out to hunters. Too many guys applied for permits, and never got them.......so they called IDNR only to find out that their permits were NOT coming, and they were forced to travel to an IDNR reservoir for the permit. The bad part of this is that IDNR left a lot of guys hanging, and left it up to the hunter to find out what is going on with their permit. IDNR should be more quick to react to problems, and get necessary steps out to the hunter so the problems can be solved.
One main thing that can be done next year to help reduce the demand for the permits is to go ahead and issue permits to every hunter who returns a survey. Do this now, in the "down time" of the year so that the vast majority of those interested in the hunt already are in the system and get their permit. Next year you will only deal with the new guys who want permits rather than the repeat permit holders.
These are the things on the top of my head.... I'm sure I'll come up with more."
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Post by pigeonflier on Apr 30, 2008 16:08:44 GMT -5
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Post by Noblebowhunter on Apr 30, 2008 17:17:22 GMT -5
I love it
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Post by DDragon47 on Apr 30, 2008 19:52:35 GMT -5
Give out permits a head of time.
Next you want to do reserved Dove and Pheasant applications in June.
And waterfowl in July.
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Post by bsutravis on Apr 30, 2008 21:18:31 GMT -5
Timdog...... That post is a response to a post from our Chapter's Vice President, when the first comments were being compiled as to make a presentation to IDNR.
I think it's pretty weak to be lurking on our Chapter's site and bring my constructive comments from there, over to here and try to stir the pot with them.
I know who you are, I know what you are about, and I know how you like to stretch reality. Please do not come onto this site and try to spin things and turn this forum into the refuge.
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Post by jwkimber45 on May 1, 2008 6:21:14 GMT -5
Well Well It seems Choppy is back.....Howdy Ches
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timdog
Junior Member
Posts: 42
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Post by timdog on May 1, 2008 8:19:36 GMT -5
Timdog...... That post is a response to a post from our Chapter's Vice President, when the first comments were being compiled as to make a presentation to IDNR. I think it's pretty weak to be lurking on our Chapter's site and bring my constructive comments from there, over to here and try to stir the pot with them. I know who you are, I know what you are about, and I know how you like to stretch reality. Please do not come onto this site and try to spin things and turn this forum into the refuge. Whoa, hold on there bud. You don't have a clue "who I am" and you have no idea "what I'm about". My first comments on this thread were merely in jest. You provoked the rest with your comments. Last I checked that Delta site was free viewing for the public. |
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timdog
Junior Member
Posts: 42
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Post by timdog on May 1, 2008 8:20:28 GMT -5
Well Well It seems Choppy is back.....Howdy Ches Don't know who Choppy is but I do know Ches. He's a good friend of mine, I'l tell him you said hi. |
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Post by kyle on May 1, 2008 8:27:05 GMT -5
Well Well It seems Choppy is back.....Howdy Ches Don't know who Choppy is but I do know Ches. He's a good friend of mine, I'l tell him you said hi. I guess friends are alike |
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Post by jwkimber45 on May 1, 2008 8:28:51 GMT -5
Don't know who Choppy is but I do know Ches. He's a good friend of mine, I'l tell him you said hi. I guess friends are alike It appears so...... |
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As your post states that you weren't trying to cause controversy, but your observation seems to be off base.
