8/22/2007

Rochester Game Refuge open for early-season goose hunting

In an effort to control a growing population of urban geese, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has for the first time opened the Rochester Game Refuge during the early goose season Sept.1-22.

This refuge was not listed in the table of refuges open for goose hunting in the waterfowl regulations booklet, but is open for taking Canada geese during the early goose season only. The daily bag limit is two Canada geese and the possession limit is four.

Hunters are encouraged to research refuge boundaries carefully and attain permission before hunting, since much of the refuge is privately owned or within city limits, where firearms restrictions apply. Restrictions on hunting within 100 yards of surface water also apply, as they do across southeast Minnesota during the September goose season.

"Hunting is the DNR's primary tool for managing game populations within sustainable levels," said Don Nelson, DNR area wildlife manager. "By providing this opportunity, we're targeting Canada geese that reside year round in Rochester to alleviate problems associated with the birds."

First established in 1926, the 42,000-acre refuge has played a key role in the recovery of the Giant Canada Goose, a sub-species that was thought to be extinct until 1962, when biologists discovered a remnant flock over-wintering in the Rochester area. Today, Canada geese are ubiquitous throughout the city and, at their current population level, are a nuisance to homeowners and those who use parks and walking paths.

A special $4 permit, in addition to applicable waterfowl licenses and stamps, is required to hunt Canada geese during the special September and December seasons. All persons except residents under age 18 or age 65 and older or those hunting on their own land, are required to have the special permit when participating in the September or December hunt.

Special goose permits are available at all of the 1,800 locations across Minnesota where hunting and fishing licenses are sold. There is no deadline for purchasing a permit. More details about waterfowl hunting and licenses are available in the 2007 Waterfowl Regulations Handbook, available at license agents now or online at www.mndnr.gov.

REFUGE BOUNDARY MODIFICATIONS

The DNR is modifying the Rochester Game Refuge boundary to accommodate a desire by Olmsted County to acquire land in the Gordy Yeager Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in order to develop an energy park utilizing steam and electricity generated by burning solid waste.

While discussions between county and state regarding any land transfer are only at a preliminary phase, agency officials said they want to start preparing for the possibility. To that end, the DNR has extended the Rochester Game Refuge eastward to include the 208-acre Haverhill WMA, where food plots would be planted to replace the ones at Gordy Yeager WMA, which would gradually be phased out. A similar amount of acreage between Olmsted County Road 11 and U.S. Highway 63 will be dropped from the refuge.

The Haverhill WMA will be closed to entry from Sept. 1 through March 1 to limit disturbance, thereby further encouraging Canada geese to modify their feeding patterns outside of the Gordy Yeager WMA.

"Limiting public access to the Haverhill WMA, particularly during hunting season, is not a step the DNR takes lightly," Nelson said. "However, we feel that it is a necessary if we are going to successfully change the feeding pattern of Rochester's Canada goose flock."

The DNR is currently seeking additional WMA acreage in the southeast to replace hunting opportunities lost at the Haverhill WMA.