2011 spring light goose hunting begins March 1

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2011 spring light goose hunting begins March 1
(Released February 14, 2011)


Interested participants are reminded that harvest of snow geese, including blue-phased snow geese and the smaller Ross’ geese, will be allowed from Tuesday, March 1, to Sunday, April 30.

The harvest will occur under a federal conservation order that permits 24 states, including Minnesota, to allow harvest of light geese after the close of hunting seasons.

A spring light goose permit is required and may be obtained through any DNR license agent, online and by telephone at 888-665-4236. Customers using the telephone will receive a temporary authorization number in lieu of the permit until it can be mailed to the applicant. Customers using the Internet will be able to print their own permit when completing the transaction, and will not receive a permit by mail.

Although the permits are free, there is a $3.50 application fee to cover the cost of issuing the permit. No other license, stamp or permit is required to participate. Permits will be available after Friday, Feb. 18.

Most regulations that apply to fall goose hunting seasons also will apply during the spring light goose season, including nontoxic shot requirements and federal baiting regulations. In addition, all refuges closed to either duck or goose hunting during fall seasons are also closed during the spring conservation action. Shooting hours will be one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset each day. No daily or possession limits apply. Use of electronic calls and unplugged shotguns is allowed.

The conservation order is part of an international effort to reduce by 50 percent the populations of lesser snow geese and Ross’ geese that breed in Arctic coastal areas and the Hudson Bay area. The goal is to reduce habitat damage on the breeding grounds caused by high populations of the birds. Minnesota has participated in the conservation order since 2000. Minnesota’s harvest of light geese during this effort has varied dramatically from a few hundred to 6,000, depending on weather conditions.

“Minnesota is at the extreme eastern edge of the spring migration through the Midwest,” said Ray Norrgard, DNR wetland wildlife program leader. “March weather, particularly snow and ice conditions, can have a tremendous effect on the migration routes of light geese.”

A summary of regulations will be available from license vendors, online, at DNR wildlife offices, or by calling the DNR Information Center at 651-296-6157 or toll-free 888-646-6367.