Post by Decatur on Dec 4, 2008 17:57:21 GMT -5
February Canada goose season to continue
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The experimental February Canada goose hunting season that started last year in selected counties in an attempt to better control the population of the breeding waterfowl around urban areas will continue in 2009, as the result of the DNR's passing a temporary rule to hold the season again.
Counties where geese can be hunted during this season, which runs Feb. 1-15, include Steuben, LaGrange, Elkhart, St. Joseph, La Porte, Starke, Marshall, Kosciusko, Noble, Dekalb, Allen, Whitley, Huntington, Wells, Adams, Boone, Hamilton, Madison, Hendricks, Marion, Hancock, Morgan, Johnson, Shelby, Vermillion, Parke, Vigo, Clay, Sullivan, and Greene.
According to Adam Phelps, DNR waterfowl biologist, the February 2008 season was a success.
"We issued permits to over 4,000 hunters, and nearly 3,000 of those hunted," Phelps said.
Phelps estimated that nearly 5,000 Canada geese were harvested during the season and said that, considering the wild fluctuations in weather that Indiana experienced that month, those results were excellent.
To meet guidelines from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, at least 80 percent of the geese harvested during the three-year experimental period must be the giant subspecies of Canada goose. This is the goose that commonly breeds in Indiana and surrounding states.
After the first year, Indiana meets the federal requirements for continuing the late season; however, Phelps said that weather can have a huge effect on harvest, which is why the season must be evaluated over three years.
"I don't expect it to happen, but we could find out that over a three-year average, we're harvesting too many northern migrant birds and have to close the season," he said.
Phelps said if 2009's numbers are similar to 2008's, 2010 might be the last year of the season's "experimental" status. Under such a scenario, after the final analysis of all three years of data, Phelps said the DNR would likely request that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service grant operational status to the season. If approved, hunters would no longer have to check in birds harvested, nor would a permit be needed to hunt.
While overall response from hunters was very good in 2008, there were some growing pains with the new season. Many complaints regarded the permitting process. An overwhelming number of requests for permits immediately before the season meant that the issuing of many permits was delayed. Thanks to an improvement in the process, that's less likely in 2009.
"We now have the ability to issue permits online, so each hunter can print their own permit," Phelps said. This will save the hunter time, and also save the state time and money.
"Although it was challenging, because we must have a biologist at each location, we have added three check stations this year in response to hunter concerns about driving distances," said Phelps.
These stations were added to areas that were underserved last year: Vigo, Boone, and Dekalb counties. "We are at the limit of the number of check stations we can effectively man with available staff," Phelps said. "Hopefully existing stations, with these additions, will address the needs of most hunters for the late season."
Hunters must check all geese harvested at a check station. Geese must have the head, a fully feathered wing, and reproductive parts still attached when the bird is checked. Check station staff will age and sex each bird, and will remove and keep the head of all adult birds checked. Data collected from these heads are used to determine whether the late season will continue in future years. Even if Indiana's season meets federal guidelines, the season may be closed in future years if local Canada goose populations are sufficiently reduced.
The bag limit for the experimental season is five Canada geese per day, with a possession limit of 10, same as for the September season. Shooting hours are from a half-hour before sunrise to sunset.
The same regulations and restrictions that apply during the September season apply during the February season. In addition to a valid hunting license, Indiana waterfowl stamp, signed federal duck stamp, and an HIP (Harvest Information Program) number, a free permit is also required. The free permit is available at www.IN.gov/dnr/fishwild/ beginning in early December, or by phone (317) 232-4200 or any state Fish and Wildlife Area, field office, or reservoir during regular hours in January.
Hunters are encouraged to get their permits online. That is the easiest and fastest way to get a permit, since it can be printed almost immediately. The online system also saves postage costs. Hunters are also encouraged not to wait until the last minute to obtain a permit.
This temporary rule also establishes a one-year Feb. 16 to March 31 season for snow and Ross's geese. The HIP number and federal duck stamp are not required to take snow or Ross's geese.
The DNR director has exclusive authority to adopt temporary rules regarding such issues. Such rules are valid for a maximum of one year and can be renewed by the director for an additional period not to exceed one year.
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For more information:
Adam Phelps, DNR Waterfowl Research Biologist, (812) 334-1137
Marty Benson, DNR assistant director of communications, (317) 233-3853
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The experimental February Canada goose hunting season that started last year in selected counties in an attempt to better control the population of the breeding waterfowl around urban areas will continue in 2009, as the result of the DNR's passing a temporary rule to hold the season again.
Counties where geese can be hunted during this season, which runs Feb. 1-15, include Steuben, LaGrange, Elkhart, St. Joseph, La Porte, Starke, Marshall, Kosciusko, Noble, Dekalb, Allen, Whitley, Huntington, Wells, Adams, Boone, Hamilton, Madison, Hendricks, Marion, Hancock, Morgan, Johnson, Shelby, Vermillion, Parke, Vigo, Clay, Sullivan, and Greene.
According to Adam Phelps, DNR waterfowl biologist, the February 2008 season was a success.
"We issued permits to over 4,000 hunters, and nearly 3,000 of those hunted," Phelps said.
Phelps estimated that nearly 5,000 Canada geese were harvested during the season and said that, considering the wild fluctuations in weather that Indiana experienced that month, those results were excellent.
To meet guidelines from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, at least 80 percent of the geese harvested during the three-year experimental period must be the giant subspecies of Canada goose. This is the goose that commonly breeds in Indiana and surrounding states.
After the first year, Indiana meets the federal requirements for continuing the late season; however, Phelps said that weather can have a huge effect on harvest, which is why the season must be evaluated over three years.
"I don't expect it to happen, but we could find out that over a three-year average, we're harvesting too many northern migrant birds and have to close the season," he said.
Phelps said if 2009's numbers are similar to 2008's, 2010 might be the last year of the season's "experimental" status. Under such a scenario, after the final analysis of all three years of data, Phelps said the DNR would likely request that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service grant operational status to the season. If approved, hunters would no longer have to check in birds harvested, nor would a permit be needed to hunt.
While overall response from hunters was very good in 2008, there were some growing pains with the new season. Many complaints regarded the permitting process. An overwhelming number of requests for permits immediately before the season meant that the issuing of many permits was delayed. Thanks to an improvement in the process, that's less likely in 2009.
"We now have the ability to issue permits online, so each hunter can print their own permit," Phelps said. This will save the hunter time, and also save the state time and money.
"Although it was challenging, because we must have a biologist at each location, we have added three check stations this year in response to hunter concerns about driving distances," said Phelps.
These stations were added to areas that were underserved last year: Vigo, Boone, and Dekalb counties. "We are at the limit of the number of check stations we can effectively man with available staff," Phelps said. "Hopefully existing stations, with these additions, will address the needs of most hunters for the late season."
Hunters must check all geese harvested at a check station. Geese must have the head, a fully feathered wing, and reproductive parts still attached when the bird is checked. Check station staff will age and sex each bird, and will remove and keep the head of all adult birds checked. Data collected from these heads are used to determine whether the late season will continue in future years. Even if Indiana's season meets federal guidelines, the season may be closed in future years if local Canada goose populations are sufficiently reduced.
The bag limit for the experimental season is five Canada geese per day, with a possession limit of 10, same as for the September season. Shooting hours are from a half-hour before sunrise to sunset.
The same regulations and restrictions that apply during the September season apply during the February season. In addition to a valid hunting license, Indiana waterfowl stamp, signed federal duck stamp, and an HIP (Harvest Information Program) number, a free permit is also required. The free permit is available at www.IN.gov/dnr/fishwild/ beginning in early December, or by phone (317) 232-4200 or any state Fish and Wildlife Area, field office, or reservoir during regular hours in January.
Hunters are encouraged to get their permits online. That is the easiest and fastest way to get a permit, since it can be printed almost immediately. The online system also saves postage costs. Hunters are also encouraged not to wait until the last minute to obtain a permit.
This temporary rule also establishes a one-year Feb. 16 to March 31 season for snow and Ross's geese. The HIP number and federal duck stamp are not required to take snow or Ross's geese.
The DNR director has exclusive authority to adopt temporary rules regarding such issues. Such rules are valid for a maximum of one year and can be renewed by the director for an additional period not to exceed one year.
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For more information:
Adam Phelps, DNR Waterfowl Research Biologist, (812) 334-1137
Marty Benson, DNR assistant director of communications, (317) 233-3853