the special spring [conservation order]
seasons. I think it is important to note that our combined annual
snow goose harvest now represents about four times the average
that occurred from 1988 to 1997.
"To me, the figures are extremely encouraging and suggest
that, given the appropriate time and tools, hunters may just
be able to bring this population under control."
Iowa goose hunters are enjoying excellent success so far this
spring, and plenty of action lies ahead. Biologists predict that
good numbers of snow geese, including an increasing number of
juveniles, should continue to migrate through the state during
the next two weeks. This year's snow goose hunt continues through
April 15.
Minnesota
Opening dates announced for 2004 Minnesota hunting seasons
Opening dates for many of the 2004 Minnesota hunting seasons
were announced this week by the Department of Natural Resources
(DNR). The dates are being announced now for the benefit of those
who must establish vacation or hunting plans well in advance.
Although these dates are tentative, pending final approval in
June, it is unlikely they will change.
SMALL GAME
Sept. 18 -- General small game, including grouse, gray partridge,
rabbits and squirrels
Oct. 16 -- Pheasant
Oct. 23 -- Prairie chicken opener
MIGRATORY BIRDS
Sept. 4 -- Early Canada goose
TBA -- Youth Waterfowl Day
TBA -- General duck and goose
Sept. 25 -- Woodcock
The waterfowl season opener will not be finalized until the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service publishes proposed migratory bird hunting
frameworks this summer.
Get a closer look at the spring rituals for sharp-tailed grouse
The Section of Wildlife invites enthusiasts to view Sharp-tailed
Grouse on their spring dancing grounds (also know as a lek).
These once common birds of open brushlands put on quite a display
in an effort to attract mates.
The blind is available 3 to 4 days per week from April 1 through
May 16. The blind is comfortable for 2 people. Getting there
requires about a quarter of a mile walk. Morning visits to the
blind can be reserved by calling:
Palo Site -- Eveleth Area Wildlife Office (218)744-7448
Like most birds Sharp-tail Grouse are |
early risers. To see them on their dancing
grounds you must be too. Dancers begin arriving about one-half
hour before sunrise. To avoid bothering the birds you must settle
into the blind well before then, so plan accordingly.
For more information, contact: Eveleth Area Wildlife Office 7979
Highway 37 Eveleth, MN. 55734 Phone: 218-744-7448
North Dakota
Game and Fish Provides 2003 Early Canada Goose Season Statistics
More hunters were in the field, but with a shorter season fewer
birds were taken during last fall's early Canada goose management
season, according to Mike Johnson, waterfowl biologist for the
North Dakota Game and Fish Department.
An estimated 6,870 hunters harvested 20,500 Canada geese during
the 2003 season, compared to 6,490 hunters and a harvest of 25,600
birds in 2002.
Early goose season regulations in 2000-2002 allowed for an experimental
extra week after Sept. 15, but that extra week was not available
in 2003 due to high harvest of migrant Canada geese in previous
years, Johnson said. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service guidelines
allowed for hunting beyond Sept. 15 if a state could demonstrate
that migrant Canadas did not comprise more than 10 percent of
the harvest, Johnson added, but North Dakota's take exceeded
that level.
Surveys for the Sept. 1-15 season showed hunters spent 2.48 days
afield, averaging 2.99 birds each. Geese were harvested in 45
counties, with the highest number of birds bagged in Stutsman
County. Other top counties were Nelson, Barnes, Benson and Sargent.
Last year was the fifth year North Dakota has had an early Canada
goose management season. The 1999 experimental season was open
only in Richland and Sargent counties, while in 2000 it was open
statewide. Since the first management season in 1999 more than
122,000 Canada geese have been harvested.
The purpose of the management season is to maintain or reduce
resident Canada goose numbers. By holding the season in early
Sept, the harvest consists of primarily local Canada geese, as
migrants have not yet started to arrive in significant numbers.
South Dakota
Pheasant Season Proposed With Extended End Date
Most areas of South Dakota's 2004 pheasant season would be open
Oct. 16 through Jan. 2, 2005 under a recent proposal by the Game,
Fish and Parks Commission.
If finalized without changes at next month's commission meeting,
South Dakota's pheasant season would be as follows: |
Unit 1, Oct. 16Jan. 2, 2005.
Unit 2, Oct. 1624.
Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Dec. 13Jan. 2, 2005
Renziehausen Game Production Area (GPA) in Brown and Marshall
counties, Dec. 13-Jan. 2, 2005.
Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge, Oct. 16-Jan. 2, 2005.
The daily limit would be 3 rooster pheasants with a possession
limit of 15 birds taken according to the daily limit.
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