DNR NEWS

Indiana Department of Natural Resources

Summit Lake State Park

5993 North Messick Rd

New Castle IN 47362

Canada goose reductions, phase II, at Summit Lake SP, in early December

            The second round of controlled Canada goose reductions to manage the Canada goose population at Summit Lake State Park will take place Dec. 1-2 and 15-16.

            The DNR made the temporary rule allowing the reductions after attempting numerous non-lethal methods of managing the population of the birds at Summit Lake State Park with little success. The first of the series of reductions was conducted in September with three-one day hunts.  The property will be closed to the public during these December reductions. 

            The dates were chosen to coincide with federal and state hunting seasons and with consideration of local flight patterns and goose behavior to optimize effectiveness.

            Based on observations from the September reduction, some changes have been made to increase effectiveness during the December efforts.  Those changes, including more groups being drawn, are listed below in the instructions for those applying to participate.

            “Though state parks in other states have started goose reductions in similar fashion, September was our first,” said Mike Mycroft, resource management coordinator for the DNR Division of State Parks and Reservoirs. “Similar to our deer reductions, we will continue to evaluate how we can improve our effectiveness and implement changes on behalf of the resources at stake.” 

            The reductions are taking place because geese have severely browsed vegetation in many areas causing erosion.  Large amounts of goose waste on Summit Lake's beach, in the picnic areas and in bank-fishing locations have adversely affected visitor enjoyment, and resulted in increased operating costs for cleanup.

            Several non-lethal control methods tried previously have proven to be ineffective in controlling the population of locally breeding Canada geese at the park. Park managers have used special noisemakers; shot blanks; and tried repetitive, high-decibel distress calls. They have also used a special federal permit the application of oil to eggs during nesting season to keep them from hatching. Other methods have included spraying grass with a commercial non-palatable chemical, and using physical barriers to attempt to keep these birds out of certain areas.

            During the reductions, the park will be closed to the general public and divided into 20 to 30 areas to cover the lake. One group of up to four individuals will be assigned to each reduction area.  Though the reduction areas have been enlarged since the first round, participants still must stay within assigned areas. These areas will be separated from each other by a minimum 120-yard buffer to prevent crossfire. 

            Shooting hours will be one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.  Dogs, boats, and decoys are permitted. 

            Hunters who want to participate in the December reductions must complete an online application between 12:01 a.m., Oct. 15, and midnight Oct. 28. Applications will be entered in a random drawing. No paper applications will be accepted for this drawing. One individual will be able to apply and include up to three of his or her partners for either the early round (Dec. 1-2) or the late round (Dec. 15-16), but not both.

            Eligible participants must have been 18 years old by Sept. 6, 2007. According to the temporary rule permitting the goose reductions, all partners must be entered on the primary applicant’s application to be eligible, but no hunter can apply more than once, regardless of primary or partner status.

             “This is an important difference from many other waterfowl drawings,” Mycroft said. “The primary applicant must include all partners who will join him or her in the field – the partners cannot just show up on the day of the hunt along with the person drawn.”

            Applicants should have their hunting license number ready to enter in the application before going to the Web site. Preference is given to hunters who have completed a hunter education course. Both state and federal waterfowl stamps, as well as a current Harvest Information Program (HIP) number, must be presented on site on the day of the reduction but are not required to apply.  Participants with a lifetime license need only present a federal stamp.

            To apply, visit www.IndianaOutdoor.in.gov.

            Both successful and non-successful entries will be notified after the drawing. Participants will be issued a check-in card at time of arrival to the property to return upon departure. This will allow gate attendants to determine the number of geese harvested. Conservation officers will be present to monitor compliance of this and all other state and federal regulations.

            For more information, see these related Web sites: 

www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/interpretiveservices/
link.html?,pdf/CanadaGooseFAQ.pdf

http://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/interpretiveservices/
,pdf/RMSGeese_073.pdf

http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/hunt/geese/ 

http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/publications/lifeseries/cangse.htm

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Media Contacts:

Marty Benson, DNR public information officer, (317) 233-3853, cell (317) 696-9812.

Mike Mycroft, Resource Management Coordinator, DNR Div. of State Parks and Reservoirs, (317) 232-4128.

Ginger Murphy, Assistant Director for Stewardship, DNR Div. of State Parks and Reservoirs (317) 232-4143.

Larry Ahlersmeyer, Property Manager, Summit Lake State Park (765) 766-5873.

Shannon Winks, Urban Wildlife Biologist, DNR Div. of Fish & Wildlife (812) 334-1137.