EARLY GOOSE SEASON DATES SET

The early Canada goose hunting season dates are September 6 - September 24, 2005 with hunters allowed to take 5 birds per day. Hunting hours begin one half hour before sunrise to sunset. "Data collected from agency goose banding activities this summer indicate the early goose hunting seasons have kept populations stable in the central and western parts of the state," commented MassWildlife's Waterfowl Project Leader H Heusmann. "In the eastern part of the state where there are more restrictions on hunting activities, goose flocks continue to grow.”  Heusmann noted that the rains and cold temperatures of this spring resulted in some nest loss and staggered hatches of geese and other species of ducks. Despite this situation, the early season provides goose hunters with ample hunting and landowners to allow hunters to reduce the size of nuisance flocks of resident geese. Waterfowlers are reminded that state and federal waterfowl stamps are required for hunting waterfowl. Hunters planning to hunt ducks, geese, woodcock and other migratory birds must also be registered with the Harvest Information Program (HIP) after purchasing a hunting license. This free registration number may be obtained by calling 1-800-WETLAND. Other waterfowl season dates will be set by the Fisheries and Wildlife Board following a hearing on August 25, 2005 at 7 PM at the UMass Cranberry Station in East Wareham.