In Vermont, a special spring season will open for snow geese as a result of a special management action referred to as a “Conservation Order” allowed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and adopted by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Board.
The measure was adopted at the recommendation of federal and state wildlife scientists in response to concerns about a growing number of snow geese across North America.
Eight states in the Atlantic Flyway (Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Vermont) will hold a Spring Snow Goose Conservation Order in 2014.
The Vermont 2014 Spring Snow Goose Conservation Order will occur statewide from March 11 through April 25. A 2014 Spring Snow Goose Harvest Permit is required and is available at no charge on the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department’s website (vtfishandwildlife.com). Hunters may also call the Essex Junction Office (802-878-1564) to request a permit.
In addition to this permit, hunters will need a 2014 Vermont hunting license, 2014 Harvest Information Program (HIP) certification, a 2013 federal migratory hunting stamp, and a 2014 Vermont migratory waterfowl stamp.
Hunters can register with the Harvest Information Program by going to the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department website or by calling toll free 1-877-306-7091 during normal business hours.
Hunters who obtain a permit will be required to complete an online survey after April 25 and prior to May 16, 2014, whether they hunted or not. Hunters without access to the internet may obtain a copy of the survey by calling 802-878-1564.
According to Vermont Fish & Wildlife, snow geese typically move through the Champlain Valley in late March and early April.
source: Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department
Showing posts with label snow geese. Show all posts
Showing posts with label snow geese. Show all posts
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Friday, February 14, 2014
New Jersey Spring Light (Snow) Goose Conservation Order
The NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife recently announced that the agency will implement a Conservation Order (CO) in New Jersey for light geese during the winter/spring of 2014.
Conservation Order Dates: February 17 - April 5, 2014, except Sundays.
CO participants can obtain a permit through the Division's license web site at www.nj.wildlifelicense.com/.
Hunters who do not have internet access can have a permit mailed to them.
Best Areas in New Jersey for Snow Geese
1. Delaware Bay tidal marshes and nearby inland farm fields contain the most light geese. Nearly 100,000 light geese are estimated in these areas during the Mid-Winter Waterfowl Survey in early January.
2. Considerable numbers of light geese can be found in central New Jersey. Flocks in this region range far and wide and are usually found in an area from Cranbury to Roosevelt to Wrightstown to Burlington.
Central New Jersey flocks typically total 5-10 thousand birds. Generally, these birds are found field feeding on private farms necessitating obtaining landowner permission for access.
3. Light geese are found in the northern part of the state centered on Merrill Creek Reservoir near Phillipsburg. Merrill Creek is used primarily as a roosting and loafing site; the reservoir itself is not open to waterfowl hunting. These flocks range far and wide on a daily basis and are usually found from Belvidere to Washington to Clinton to Flemington.
Northern flocks typically exceed 15,000 birds in January and can build to over 75,000 birds in late winter. Most of these flocks are also found on private farms.
4. Light geese can be found in and around Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge in Oceanville. Mean Mid-Winter Waterfowl Survey counts from early January are typically about 5,000 birds in this region.
The Division administers a wide range of public land as Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs). Key WMAs for spring light geese include (from south to north): Dennis Creek, Heislerville, Egg Island, Fortescue, Nantuxent, New Sweden, Dix and Mad Horse Creek. A list of WMAs and maps can be found at www.njfishandwildlife.com/wmaland.htm.
Light Goose Hunting Information
The Atlantic Flyway Council offers a booklet, Successful Hunting Tactics for Greater Snow Geese that includes hunting tactics to help boost success when hunting light geese.
Also, a light goose cookbook with many recipes and hunting tips can be found at:
www.agjv.ca/images/stories/pdf/snowgoosecookbook.pdf.
source: NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Order Dates: February 17 - April 5, 2014, except Sundays.
CO participants can obtain a permit through the Division's license web site at www.nj.wildlifelicense.com/.
Hunters who do not have internet access can have a permit mailed to them.
Best Areas in New Jersey for Snow Geese
1. Delaware Bay tidal marshes and nearby inland farm fields contain the most light geese. Nearly 100,000 light geese are estimated in these areas during the Mid-Winter Waterfowl Survey in early January.
2. Considerable numbers of light geese can be found in central New Jersey. Flocks in this region range far and wide and are usually found in an area from Cranbury to Roosevelt to Wrightstown to Burlington.
Central New Jersey flocks typically total 5-10 thousand birds. Generally, these birds are found field feeding on private farms necessitating obtaining landowner permission for access.
3. Light geese are found in the northern part of the state centered on Merrill Creek Reservoir near Phillipsburg. Merrill Creek is used primarily as a roosting and loafing site; the reservoir itself is not open to waterfowl hunting. These flocks range far and wide on a daily basis and are usually found from Belvidere to Washington to Clinton to Flemington.
Northern flocks typically exceed 15,000 birds in January and can build to over 75,000 birds in late winter. Most of these flocks are also found on private farms.
4. Light geese can be found in and around Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge in Oceanville. Mean Mid-Winter Waterfowl Survey counts from early January are typically about 5,000 birds in this region.
The Division administers a wide range of public land as Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs). Key WMAs for spring light geese include (from south to north): Dennis Creek, Heislerville, Egg Island, Fortescue, Nantuxent, New Sweden, Dix and Mad Horse Creek. A list of WMAs and maps can be found at www.njfishandwildlife.com/wmaland.htm.
Light Goose Hunting Information
The Atlantic Flyway Council offers a booklet, Successful Hunting Tactics for Greater Snow Geese that includes hunting tactics to help boost success when hunting light geese.
Also, a light goose cookbook with many recipes and hunting tips can be found at:
www.agjv.ca/images/stories/pdf/snowgoosecookbook.pdf.
source: NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife
Thursday, July 4, 2013
New York Special Snow Goose Harvest Program
State regulations to expand the special snow goose harvest program in New York have been amended to allow hunters to take snow geese during a special harvest program from January 16 through April 15 in all of upstate New York.
This is in addition to the regular snow goose hunting season, which is expected to run October 1 through January 15 annually. DEC filed a Notice of Emergency Adoption and Proposed Rule Making with the Department of State on January 23, 2013, and the changes took effect immediately. However, the Emergency rule expired in April, so adoption of the final rule was necessary to extend the same regulation indefinitely.
The expanded special season will increase hunter opportunity to harvest snow geese throughout the winter and early spring, when they are most abundant in New York.
Snow geese are an arctic breeding goose species that recently reached record high population levels in North America - from approximately 50,000 birds in the 1960s to more than one million birds in recent years.
Wildlife agencies, ecologists and environmental organizations have expressed concern about the impacts that overabundant snow geese are having on arctic ecosystems, coastal wetlands and agricultural crops. In response to those concerns, federal hunting regulations were liberalized in 2008, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) adopted a conservation order allowing states in the Atlantic Flyway to implement special snow goose harvest programs in addition to its regular hunting seasons. Based on guidance from USFWS, DEC decided to have one continuous season beginning this year.
For more information about snow geese hunting in New York, visit the DEC website.
source: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
This is in addition to the regular snow goose hunting season, which is expected to run October 1 through January 15 annually. DEC filed a Notice of Emergency Adoption and Proposed Rule Making with the Department of State on January 23, 2013, and the changes took effect immediately. However, the Emergency rule expired in April, so adoption of the final rule was necessary to extend the same regulation indefinitely.
The expanded special season will increase hunter opportunity to harvest snow geese throughout the winter and early spring, when they are most abundant in New York.
Snow geese are an arctic breeding goose species that recently reached record high population levels in North America - from approximately 50,000 birds in the 1960s to more than one million birds in recent years.
Wildlife agencies, ecologists and environmental organizations have expressed concern about the impacts that overabundant snow geese are having on arctic ecosystems, coastal wetlands and agricultural crops. In response to those concerns, federal hunting regulations were liberalized in 2008, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) adopted a conservation order allowing states in the Atlantic Flyway to implement special snow goose harvest programs in addition to its regular hunting seasons. Based on guidance from USFWS, DEC decided to have one continuous season beginning this year.
For more information about snow geese hunting in New York, visit the DEC website.
source: New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Spring Light Goose Hunts in North Dakota
For hunters in search of spring hunting opportunities, North Dakota is one option . Light goose hunters planning to hunt during the state's spring season can even purchase a license online at the state Game and Fish Department’s website.
Residents can hunt during the spring season by having last fall’s 2010-11 bird licenses. Otherwise, hunters will need to purchase either a 2011-12 combination license; or a small game, and general game and habitat license.
Nonresidents, regardless of age, need a 2011 spring light goose season license. The cost is $50 and the license is good statewide. Nonresidents who hunt the spring season remain eligible to buy a fall season license. The spring season does not count against the 14-day fall hunting season regulation.
A federal duck stamp is not required of either residents or nonresidents.
Licenses are available from the Game and Fish Department’s Bismarck office, the department’s website at gf.nd.gov, or by calling (800) 406-6409.
North Dakota’s spring light goose season officially opens Feb. 19, but hunters shouldn’t expect to see geese migrate through anytime soon.
North Dakota’s annual spring season opens in February in case weather conditions allow for an early arrival. Availability of food and open water dictate when snow geese arrive in the state. Early migrants generally start showing up in the southeast part of the state in mid-to-late March, but huntable numbers usually aren’t around until the end of March or early April. Movements through the state largely depend on available roosting areas and the extent of the snow line.
Hunters must obtain a new Harvest Information Program registration number before venturing out into the field. Those purchasing a license are able to register with the HIP at that time. Otherwise, hunters should call (888) 634-4798. The HIP number is good for the fall season as well, so spring hunters should save it to record on their fall license.
The Game and Fish Department will provide hunters with migration updates once geese have entered the state. Hunters can access the department’s website, or call (701) 328-3697, to receive generalized locations of bird sightings in North Dakota until the season ends or geese have left the state. Migration reports will be updated periodically during the week.
The spring season is only open to light geese – snows, blues, and Ross’s. Species identification is important because white-fronted and Canada geese travel with light geese. The season is closed to whitefronts, Canada geese, swans and all other migratory birds.
The statewide season is open through May 8. Shooting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. There is no daily bag limit or possession limit. Electronic and recorded calls, as well as shotguns capable of holding more than three shells, may be used to take light geese during this season.
There are no waterfowl rest areas designated for the spring season. Hunters should note that private land within waterfowl rest areas closed last fall may be posted closed to hunting.
Nontoxic shot is required for hunting all light geese statewide. Driving off established roads and trails is strongly discouraged during this hunt because of the likelihood of soft, muddy conditions, and winter wheat that is planted across the state.
To maintain good landowner relations, hunters are advised to seek permission before hunting on private lands or attempting any off-road travel during this season. Sprouted winter wheat is considered an unharvested crop. Therefore, hunting or off-road travel in winter wheat is not legal without landowner permission.
All regular hunting season regulations not addressed above apply to the spring season. For more information on regulations refer to the 2011 Spring Light Goose Hunting Regulations and the 2010 North Dakota Waterfowl Hunting Guide.
Residents can hunt during the spring season by having last fall’s 2010-11 bird licenses. Otherwise, hunters will need to purchase either a 2011-12 combination license; or a small game, and general game and habitat license.
Nonresidents, regardless of age, need a 2011 spring light goose season license. The cost is $50 and the license is good statewide. Nonresidents who hunt the spring season remain eligible to buy a fall season license. The spring season does not count against the 14-day fall hunting season regulation.
A federal duck stamp is not required of either residents or nonresidents.
Licenses are available from the Game and Fish Department’s Bismarck office, the department’s website at gf.nd.gov, or by calling (800) 406-6409.
North Dakota’s spring light goose season officially opens Feb. 19, but hunters shouldn’t expect to see geese migrate through anytime soon.
North Dakota’s annual spring season opens in February in case weather conditions allow for an early arrival. Availability of food and open water dictate when snow geese arrive in the state. Early migrants generally start showing up in the southeast part of the state in mid-to-late March, but huntable numbers usually aren’t around until the end of March or early April. Movements through the state largely depend on available roosting areas and the extent of the snow line.
Hunters must obtain a new Harvest Information Program registration number before venturing out into the field. Those purchasing a license are able to register with the HIP at that time. Otherwise, hunters should call (888) 634-4798. The HIP number is good for the fall season as well, so spring hunters should save it to record on their fall license.
The Game and Fish Department will provide hunters with migration updates once geese have entered the state. Hunters can access the department’s website, or call (701) 328-3697, to receive generalized locations of bird sightings in North Dakota until the season ends or geese have left the state. Migration reports will be updated periodically during the week.
The spring season is only open to light geese – snows, blues, and Ross’s. Species identification is important because white-fronted and Canada geese travel with light geese. The season is closed to whitefronts, Canada geese, swans and all other migratory birds.
The statewide season is open through May 8. Shooting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. There is no daily bag limit or possession limit. Electronic and recorded calls, as well as shotguns capable of holding more than three shells, may be used to take light geese during this season.
There are no waterfowl rest areas designated for the spring season. Hunters should note that private land within waterfowl rest areas closed last fall may be posted closed to hunting.
Nontoxic shot is required for hunting all light geese statewide. Driving off established roads and trails is strongly discouraged during this hunt because of the likelihood of soft, muddy conditions, and winter wheat that is planted across the state.
To maintain good landowner relations, hunters are advised to seek permission before hunting on private lands or attempting any off-road travel during this season. Sprouted winter wheat is considered an unharvested crop. Therefore, hunting or off-road travel in winter wheat is not legal without landowner permission.
All regular hunting season regulations not addressed above apply to the spring season. For more information on regulations refer to the 2011 Spring Light Goose Hunting Regulations and the 2010 North Dakota Waterfowl Hunting Guide.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Signs of Spring
In the USA Mid Atlantic region, signs of Spring are everywhere. All along the Atlantic Flyway, snow geese are visibly restless. As each day grows longer, snow geese gather in ever-larger flocks to feed, becoming more and more restless throughout the day. Although they feed heavily, geese spend considerable time flying back and forth between feeding spots. As the days of February pass, their time in the region grows shorter.
Wild turkeys are also becoming much m ore visible. Large flocks are on the move and sightings in open fields are more common. Food supplies have been lean for some time, but even now turkeys are beginning to find a much wider selection of foods.
Deer behavior is also changing fast as March grows near. With the rut, hunting season and most of the harsh weather behind, deer are able to feed more consistently. During morning and evening, whitetails are often seen eating tree buds, early grasses and other vegetation.
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