PIERRE, S.D. –South Dakota’s Spring Light Goose Conservation Order will be one week shorter this year and end on May 8 instead of May 15.

"The change was made to accommodate our needs to establish feeding sites for returning resident Canada geese as part of our Canada goose damage management program," said GFP Waterfowl Biologist Spencer Vaa of Brookings. "The necessary feeding sites would create potential baiting violations with light goose hunting, thus the compromise to shorten the conservation order by one week."

As before, the action still allows the taking of snow geese, blue geese and Ross' geese with the same requirements and restrictions as during regular waterfowl seasons, except that electronic calls and shotguns capable of holding more than three shells are allowed.

Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset with a daily limit of 20 and an unlimited possession.

Residents must have a combination or small game license, plus the state migratory bird certification stamp. Nonresident adults will need a South Dakota nonresident spring light goose license ($45). Nonresident youth light goose licenses (ages 12-15) cost $25. No additional stamps or certification are required. The nonresident licenses are valid for the entire conservation order.

"The federal waterfowl stamp will not be required, as it is a conservation order and not a regular waterfowl season," Vaa added.

-GFP-