DNR asks hunters for help collecting Canada goose data

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is asking Canada Goose hunters who participate in the late experimental goose hunt (7-16 December) to help collect goose “parts” as part of an evaluation of the hunt.

In some areas of the state, Wildlife Managers have had difficulties obtaining a sufficient sample of parts during the past three years. “We need to increase the number of parts collected in certain portions of the state or we risk losing this season in those areas,” said Beau Liddell, DNR area wildlife manager at Little Falls. The areas of the state that are at most risk include the “remainder” and southeast goose zones.

The parts needed are the head and the tail area including the vent. It is important that parts from each goose are kept separate from those of other geese. Measurements of these parts will be used to determine the age, sex, and subspecies of each goose. The date and location taken, as well as the hunter’s name, address and phone number needs to be included with each set of parts as well. For each set of parts taken during the late season and received at DNR area wildlife offices, hunters will also be entered into a statewide prize drawing ($500 worth of gift certificates from Gander Mountain) to be administered on Jan. 6, 2003 by the Minnesota Waterfowl Association.

After collecting the parts and recording the necessary information, local hunters may contact the Little Falls area wildlife office to make arrangements for delivery or pickup. Parts that cannot be delivered fresh should be frozen in plastic bags. To be considered for the prize drawing, goose parts and completely filled out registration forms must be submitted no later than Dec. 31, 2002.

This information will be part of a four-year evaluation of the experimental extension (7-16 December) of the late Canada Goose season.

This experimental season is intended to increase harvest levels on our expanding local population of giant Canada geese. As part of the experiment, the DNR is required by the Mississippi Flyway and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to monitor the harvest. Assistance from hunters in collecting enough parts is critical so the DNR can adequately evaluate this experimental hunt. “Typically, we harvest about 10,000 Canada geese during the late goose season. It would be a shame to lose this hunting opportunity because we were unable to collect enough parts. We really need hunters to give us a helping hand,” Liddell said.

Interested hunters can contact the Little Falls area wildlife office at 320-616-2468 to obtain further instructions and goose registration forms.