Because snow geese have become too successful for
their own good, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is asking for a
wholesale hunt.
The conversion of pastures to
fields of grain has provided a bountiful harvest for the birds,
causing the population to soar over the last three decades. Now,
say agency biologists, snow geese are devouring their delicate
Canadian nesting ground, eating more than can regrow in the short
arctic growing season, and harming the area for other birds and
plants (HCN, 11/10/97).
Snow geese may trigger
their own population crash – but only after the tundra is destroyed
in Canada.
The agency estimates that the current
population needs to be reduced from 4 million birds to a
sustainable level of 1.5 million in the next few
years.
Currently, snow geese may be hunted 107
days in a year, the maximum allowed under the Migratory Bird
Treaties signed over 80 years ago by the United States, Canada and
other nations.
But snow geese are notoriously
hard to hunt, and so far, increasing the bag limits and hunting
days has not lowered the population. Newly proposed management
solutions would extend hunting in banned seasons between March 10
and September 1, call for greater hunting opportunities on wildlife
refuges, and suggest that incentive programs be provided to hunters
to increase the harvest. Inducements might include offering prizes
or reducing the cost of hunting licenses.
In
addition, the agency suggests liberalizing hunting methods for snow
geese, perhaps allowing electronic calls and baiting.
Critics say some proposed changes conflict with
fair and ethical hunting practices. Others worry that the snow
goose might be devalued in the eyes of both hunters and the public,
and that the public’s viewing of wildlife on refuges could be
disrupted. The changes could have impacts as yet unknown on other
migratory bird populations.
The Fish and
Wildlife Service responds that inaction will lead to hundreds of
thousands of birds and other wildlife dying from starvation and
disease.
A full report on the recommendations
from the Arctic Goose Habitat Working Group can be obtained at
http://www.fws.gov/r9mbmo/issues/tblcont.html. The FWS is accepting
public comment on these changes until June 5. Comments should be
mailed to Chief, Office of Migratory Bird Management, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, MS 634_ARLSQ, 1849 C Street NW, Washington, DC
20240.
* Danette R. Miller
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline Snow geese have become too plentiful.
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