Lincoln, Neb. – The 2005 experimental nine-day early Canada goose hunting season in part of eastern Nebraska will open September 10.

The experimental season will be Sept. 10-19. The special area boundaries are from the Missouri River west on Neb. 30 to U.S. 81, south to Neb. 64, east to Neb. 15, south to Neb. 41, east to Neb. 50, north to Neb. 2, and east to the Missouri River. (See map in the 2005 Nebraska Early Canada Goose Season brochure available at Game and Parks offices and permit vendors). In that zone, all areas will be open to Canada goose hunting except federal or state refuges, unless otherwise specified. The daily bag limit will be five geese, the possession limit will be 10.

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission waterfowl program manager Mark Vrtiska said growing numbers of Canada geese have become a nuisance in some metropolitan areas, most notably in the metropolitan areas of Lincoln and Omaha, and that increases in goose numbers in those areas may lead to serious concerns with human health and safety given their proximity to local airports.

“Although a crisis situation has not been reached in terms of dealing with nuisance problems or populations, the wildlife division staff does not foresee a decrease in the number of Canada geese or in the number of complaints. In fact, the staff expects both to increase in the relatively near future,” he said.

“These expectations are based on continued urban expansion of both cities, leading to an increase in urban habitat for geese which concurrently decreases hunting opportunity, ultimately resulting in more conflicts as the frequency of interactions between Canada geese and humans occur,” Vrtiska said.

The early Canada goose season was approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on an experimental basis due to concerns about migrant Canada geese. To assist with the evaluation, hunters are asked to provide tail fans from Canada geese harvested between September 10 -19 only. Hunters are asked to place the tail fans in a plastic bag or envelope with a note indicating the date and location of the harvest. They are asked to drop off or send the package to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Att’n Early Canada Goose Season, at either 2200 No. 33rd St., Lincoln, NE, 68503-0370; or 1212 Bob Gibson Blvd., Omaha, NE 68108-2020. Because the tail feathers deteriorate rapidly, hunters are asked to keep them cool until they are mailed or dropped off.

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