03-29-2006, 05:39 PM
A cooperative program involving the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will once again provide North Dakota agricultural producers with the necessary tools to tackle chronic crop depredation caused by Canada geese, according to Greg Link, assistant wildlife chief for the state Game and Fish Department.
The program has been in place each spring and summer since 2002, and provides landowners with equipment and technical assistance to ward off depredating Canada geese. Past efforts have shown Canada goose depredation control is most effective when a combination of techniques are used in concert: hunting seasons (extended Canada goose seasons and liberal bag limits), egg addling (destroying nests) and non-lethal treatment methods (propane cannons, pyrotechnics and electric fencing).
"As part of the program, special depredation permits can be issued on a last-resort basis," Link said. "However, federal authorization requires that all treatment methods be exhausted before a permit is issued. This is the public's wildlife resource, and this removal method has to be used with much discretion."
Landowners experiencing crop depredation caused by Canada geese must first contact Wildlife Services so it can assess and address the situation. Wildlife Services personnel will make an on-site visit, provide consultation, and make a written recommendation.
Landowners who were issued special permits last year will receive a special permit application packet by the end of March. The special depredation permit, which is valid from April through July, allows each eligible landowner to kill up to 30 geese and destroy 15 nests.
North Dakota's authorization from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service allows for the taking of no more than 6,000 geese and 1,000 nests, including all the eggs.
This is the fifth year special permits are available to North Dakota landowners. In 2005, 86 landowners used the special permit, taking 947 Canada geese (579 adults and 386 goslings) and destroying 141 nests under provisions provided by the permit. Canada geese were taken in 28 counties in eastern and northwestern North Dakota.
Landowners wanting more information about Canada goose depredation assistance can contact the Game and Fish Department at 328-6300.
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The program has been in place each spring and summer since 2002, and provides landowners with equipment and technical assistance to ward off depredating Canada geese. Past efforts have shown Canada goose depredation control is most effective when a combination of techniques are used in concert: hunting seasons (extended Canada goose seasons and liberal bag limits), egg addling (destroying nests) and non-lethal treatment methods (propane cannons, pyrotechnics and electric fencing).
"As part of the program, special depredation permits can be issued on a last-resort basis," Link said. "However, federal authorization requires that all treatment methods be exhausted before a permit is issued. This is the public's wildlife resource, and this removal method has to be used with much discretion."
Landowners experiencing crop depredation caused by Canada geese must first contact Wildlife Services so it can assess and address the situation. Wildlife Services personnel will make an on-site visit, provide consultation, and make a written recommendation.
Landowners who were issued special permits last year will receive a special permit application packet by the end of March. The special depredation permit, which is valid from April through July, allows each eligible landowner to kill up to 30 geese and destroy 15 nests.
North Dakota's authorization from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service allows for the taking of no more than 6,000 geese and 1,000 nests, including all the eggs.
This is the fifth year special permits are available to North Dakota landowners. In 2005, 86 landowners used the special permit, taking 947 Canada geese (579 adults and 386 goslings) and destroying 141 nests under provisions provided by the permit. Canada geese were taken in 28 counties in eastern and northwestern North Dakota.
Landowners wanting more information about Canada goose depredation assistance can contact the Game and Fish Department at 328-6300.
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