Feb. 19, 2015

Goose hunters pursuing snow, Ross’ geese may hunt through April 30

PRATT — For some waterfowl hunters, seasons seem to come and go all too fast. It may feel like hunters and their canine companions have just warmed up when the regular seasons close. However, hunters looking to enjoy a few more weeks afield hunting geese can participate in the Light Goose Conservation Order from Feb. 16-April 30, 2015. During this special season set by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, hunters may take an unlimited amount of snow and Ross’ geese.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service established this special season in 1999 in an effort to increase the harvest of light geese, a population that has increased more than 300 percent since the mid-1970s. These historic numbers of geese have denuded portions of their fragile tundra breeding habitat in the arctic, which may take decades to recover. This impacts other bird species that nest there, including semi-palmated sandpipers and red-necked phalaropes.

To increase hunter success, the conservation order authorizes hunting methods not allowed during the regular seasons, including the use of electronic calls and unplugged shotguns. Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset.

For more information on this season, visit www.ksoutdoors.com and click on “Hunting/When to Hunt/Migratory Birds.”

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