Report Nr. 3435 Change in Harvest Composition Resulting from Mid-September Opening of Michigan's Regular Goose Season, 1998-2002

A large and rapidly growing giant Canada goose (Branta canadensis maxima) population in Michigan has resulted in increased hunting opportunities but has also increased conflicts between geese and people. Michigan's spring giant Canada goose population peaked at an estimated 325,000 birds during 2000 (MIDNR unpublished data), which was 62% above the current population objective of 200,000 birds. Increasing harvest rates on Michigan giants is the most practical means of controlling goose population growth. However, established regular goose season frameworks (early October through mid- December) provided limited opportunities to increase giant Canada goose harvest rates as short seasons were often required to maintain relatively low harvest rates on interior Canada geese (B. c. interior) that fall stage in Michigan. Michigan biologists requested and were granted regular goose season opening dates in mid-September beginning in 1998. This report provides an evaluation of Michigan's regular season strategy as required by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.