Snow Geese

Snow Geese

Over the last twenty years, the number of light geese (lesser snow and Ross’ goose, combined) using the Rainwater Basin has greatly increased. In 1983, the peak was about a quarter of a million birds. By 2004, the estimate was closer to 4.5 million.

The population explosion is impacting habitat throughout its migration range. In the wintering areas, the birds are feeding on rice fields and causing crop losses. In the northern breeding grounds, snow geese are "grubbing" the soil to dig up high-energy roots and tubers. Plant regrowth is extremely slow in the tundra climate. Without plants to cover the soil, salts in the subsoil begin to accumulate on the surface, creating a saline environment hostile to desirable plants. Additional information about the snow goose problem can be found at the Services snow goose web page and the 88-page Arctic Goose Habitat Working Group Report (1734 Kb pdf).

Within the Rainwater Basin, snow geese are aggressively competing for limited water available and waste grain in crop fields. Snow geese are known carriers of avian cholera. This fatal disease occurs annually in the Rainwater Basin when birds become concentrated on areas with poor water quality and quantity.

In the spring of 1998, a severe winter storm froze most of the wetlands, causing stress and concentrated birds on remaining open water. It was estimated that over 100,000 birds died in the Basin area. This is of special concern for managers because during the same time period each spring, over 90 percent of the mid-continent population of white-fronted geese, 50 percent of the continental mallard population, and 30 percent of the continental pintail population are present. Management is being done to reduce the impact of light geese on other species and their habitats within the Rainwater Basin. Management includes pumping additional water to more wetlands, managing aquatic vegetation to encourage ducks to use wetlands other than those used by snow geese, and to allow a late-winter light goose hunting season and conservation hunt.

Hunting

Rainwater Basin has long been recognized as an important resting and feeding area for numerous species of waterfowl. Biologists recognize the impacts the snow geese is having on other species. But, they are also concern about what, if any, impact snow goose hunting is having on other species. In past years, the late-winter light goose season ended in mid-February to reduce disturbance to other species. With the build up of snow goose numbers, the hunting season was re-evaluated. In 1998, the Migratory Bird Commission allowed an experimental hunt to be done with the season extended to March 10. The extended season was allowed with the condition research information would be collected to determine hunting's impact of various species of waterfowl, especially snow geese, white-fronted geese, and pintails. A four-year study was completed in 2003. Currently, data is being analyzed to measure the stress on birds, changes in behavior, and changes in their distribution or use of wetlands.

Migratory bird hunting rules are established by the U.S. Wildlife Service but specific hunting regulations for each species are set by the appropriate state agency. For the spring of 2006, the regulations for light geese are as follow:

STATE REGULATIONS:

Light Goose Conservation Action:

(Source: http://www.ngpc.state.ne.us/hunting/guides/waterfowl/waterfowl.asp)

Season Dates: February 7 through April 12, 2009.

Shooting Hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.

Daily Bag Limit: None Possession Limit: None

Zone Restrictions:

Zones 1 and Zone 2: The taking of light geese will be allowed four days a week (Saturday, Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday). Beginning March 24, hunting will be allowed seven days a week.

In Zone 1, it is illegal to hunt within 0.5 miles of the outer channel of the Platte River between U.S. Hwy. 281 and NE Hwy. 14. It will be illegal to take light geese: on federal or state sanctuaries and refuges, unless authorized; and on the following lands owned or managed by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Zone 1 Closed Areas: Massie WPA, Hultine WPA, Springer WPA, Wilkins WPA, Pintail WMA, Verona WPA, Bluebill WMA, Eckhardt WPA, Nelson WPA, Kirkpatrick Basin North WMA, and Swan Creek WMA. Closed within 1/2 mile of the Platte River outermost channel from U.S. Hwy. 281 to NE Hwy. 14.

In Zone 2, it It is illegal to hunt light geese within 0.5 miles of the outer channel of the north and south sides of the Platte River. By federal regulation, the no-hunt zone expands to 5 miles between March 11 and April 12 to provide protection for endangered whooping cranes. It is illegal to hunt on federal or state sanctuaries and refuges, unless authorized, and on the following lands owned or managed by the Commission or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Zone 2 Closed Areas: Funk WPA, Prairie Dog WPA, Bluestem WPA, Lindau WPA and Clark WPA.

Zone 3: The taking of light geese will be allowed seven days a week throughout Zone 3 except on federal or state sanctuaries and refuges unless otherwise authorized. By federal regulation, it is illegal to take light geese within 5 miles of the outside channel of the Platte River between U.S. 283 and U.S. 281 between March 11 and April 12.

Click on map to enlarge

Closed wetlands: Closed wetlands are wetland areas closed to hunting throughout the season. These areas provide refuge from hunting pressure. Studies have shown that closed areas will keep birds in an area longer: providing more hunting opportunities.

A conservation hunt was established in 1999 that allowed for the harvest of light geese past the hunting season (March 10) established by the Migratory Bird Treaty. The final ruling published in the Federal Register states:

"Mid-continent light goose populations (lesser snow and Ross’ goose combined) has nearly quadrupled within the last 30 years, and have become serious injurious to their habitat and habitat important to other migratory Birds. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service believes that these populations exceed the long-term carrying capacity of their breeding habitats and must be reduced. This rule authorizes the use of additional hunting methods (electronic callers and unplugged shotguns) during a normal open light-goose hunting season when all other waterfowl and crane hunting seasons, excluding falconry, are closed. This rule takes effect immediately upon publication on February 16, 1999." (Source: Federal Register, Vol 64, No. 30, February 16, 1999. Pages 7507-7517).

Spring Population Estimate

Each spring, aerial flights are conducted to estimate snow goose numbers within the Rainwater Basin. No flight has been done yet for 2009. Our first flight is planned for February 18. When completed, a map will be posted on this web showing the population estimates of snow geese.

Last updated: February 9, 2009