Overabundant species: special conservation measures
Fall 2020 and Spring 2021
Note: Hunters interested in participating in the 2021 spring conservation harvest of Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese in several provinces and territories, and Canada Geese in Manitoba should keep their 2020 federal permit.
Overabundant Snow and Ross’s Geese
The Snow and Ross’s Geese populations have increased dramatically in the past several decades and most of their populations are well above their population objectives (North American Waterfowl Management Plan). In response to concerns over potential impacts of these geese on their habitats, Snow Geese (Greater and Lesser) and Ross’s Geese have been designated as “overabundant”. An overabundant population is one for which the rate of population growth has resulted in, or will potentially result in, a population whose abundance directly threatens the conservation of migratory birds (themselves or others) or their habitats, or is injurious to or threatens agricultural, environmental or other similar interests.
The overabundant designation provides tools to increase hunter harvest under special conditions, such as higher bag and possession limits, use of recorded bird calls, and special conservation seasons when hunters are allowed to take geese in order to help reduce the population numbers.
For more information on overabundant Snow and Ross’s Geese, please refer to the Migratory Game Bird Population Status Report.
For details on special conservation measures that are in place in certain jurisdictions, please refer to the tables below, as well as to the Migratory Birds Hunting Regulations Summaries.
Overabundant Temperate-breeding Canada Geese in Manitoba
Temperate-breeding Canada Geese have been designated as overabundant in southern Manitoba. The population is currently three times greater than the population objective set in the 1990s, and is causing significant damage to agricultural fields and private property (e.g., golf courses, public recreation grounds). Current population levels pose significant risks to human safety, both through risk of aircraft and vehicular collisions.
The overabundant designation provides tools to increase hunter harvest under special conditions, such as higher bag and possession limits, use of recorded bird calls, and a special spring conservation season when hunters are allowed to take geese in order to help reduce the population numbers.
For more information on overabundant Temperate-breeding Canada Geese, please refer to the Migratory Birds Regulatory Reports : 2019 Migratory Game Bird Population Status Report, and 2019 Proposals to Amend the Canadian Migratory Birds Regulations Report.
For details on special conservation measures that are in place, please refer to the Manitoba table below, as well as to the Manitoba Migratory Birds Hunting Regulations Summary.
Quebec
Area |
Period during which Snow Geese may be killed |
Additional hunting method or equipment |
---|---|---|
District A |
Sept. 1 to Dec. 16, 2020 |
Recorded bird calls d, f |
District A |
May 1 to June 30, 2021 |
Recorded bird calls d |
District B |
Sept. 12 to Dec. 26, 2020 |
Recorded bird calls d, f |
Districts C and D |
Sept. 1 to Sept. 11, 2020 a, and Sept. 12 to Dec. 26, 2020 |
Recorded bird calls d, f |
Districts C and D |
Mar. 1 to May 31, 2021 a |
Recorded bird calls d |
District E |
Sept. 1 to Sept. 11, 2020 a, and Sept. 12 to Dec. 26, 2020 |
Recorded bird calls d, f; bait crop area e |
District E |
Mar. 1 to May 31, 2021 a |
Recorded bird calls d; bait e |
District F |
Sept. 6 to Sept.18, 2020 a, and Sept. 19, 2020 to Jan. 2, 2021 |
Recorded bird calls d, f; bait crop area e |
District F |
Mar. 1 to May 31, 2021 a, b, c |
Recorded bird calls d; bait e |
District G |
Sept. 26 to Dec. 26, 2020 |
Recorded bird calls d, f |
a Hunting and hunting equipment are allowed only on farmland.
b In District F, no person shall hunt south of the St. Lawrence River and north of the road right-of-way of Route 132 between the western limit of the Montmagny municipality and the eastern limit of Cap-Saint-Ignace municipality, other than in lots 4 598 472, 2 611 981 and 2 611 982 of the cadastre of Quebec (all located in Montmagny municipality).
c In District F, on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River, no person shall hunt north of the St. Lawrence River and south of a line located at 1000 m north of Highway 40 between Montée St-Laurent and the Maskinongé River. On the south shore of the St. Lawrence River, no person shall hunt south of the St. Lawrence River and north of the railroad right-of-way located near Route 132 between the Nicolet River in the east and Lacerte Road in the west.
d “Recorded bird calls” refers to bird calls of a species referred to in the heading of column 2.
e Hunting with bait or in a bait crop area is permitted if the Regional Director has given consent in writing pursuant to section 23.3.
f Any species of migratory bird for which it is open season may be taken while hunting Snow Geese with recorded Snow Geese calls.
Note: Hunters interested in participating in the 2021 spring conservation harvest of Snow Geese should keep their 2020 federal permits.
Ontario
Area |
Period during which Snow Geese and Ross's Geese may be killed |
Additional hunting method or equipment |
---|---|---|
Wildlife Management Unit 65 |
Mar. 1 to May 31, 2021 g |
Recorded bird calls h |
g Hunting and hunting equipment are allowed only on farmland.
h “Recorded bird calls” refers to bird calls of a species referred to in the heading of column 2.
Note: Hunters interested in participating in the 2021 spring conservation harvest of Snow Geese should keep their 2020 federal permits.
Manitoba
Game Bird Hunting Zone |
Period during which Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese may be killed |
Period during which Canada Geese may be killed |
Additional hunting method or equipment |
---|---|---|---|
Zone No. 1 |
Aug. 15 to Aug. 31, 2020 and Apr. 1 to June 15, 2021 |
Not applicable |
Recorded bird calls i |
Zone No. 2 |
Mar. 15 to May 31, 2021 |
Not applicable |
Recorded bird calls i |
Zones 3 and 4 |
Mar. 15 to May 31, 2021 |
Mar. 1 to Mar. 31, 2021 |
Recorded bird calls i |
i “Recorded bird calls” refers to bird calls of a species referred to in the heading of column 2 and column 3.
Note: Hunters interested in participating in the 2021 spring conservation harvest of Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese, as well as Canada Geese should keep their 2020 federal permits.
Saskatchewan
District |
Period during which Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese may be killed |
Additional hunting method or equipment |
---|---|---|
No. 1 (North) and 2 (South) |
Mar. 15 to June 15, 2021 |
Recorded bird calls j |
j “Recorded bird calls” refers to bird calls of a species referred to in the heading of column 2.
Note: Hunters interested in participating in the 2021 spring conservation harvest of Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese should keep their 2020 federal permits.
Alberta
Area |
Period during which Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese may be killed |
Additional hunting method or equipment |
---|---|---|
Throughout Alberta |
Mar. 15 to June 15, 2021 |
Recorded bird calls k |
k “Recorded bird calls” refers to bird calls of a species referred to in the heading of column 2.
Note: Hunters interested in participating in the 2021 spring conservation harvest of Snow Geese and Ross's Geese should keep their 2020 federal permits.
Nunavut
Area |
Period during which Snow Geese and Ross's Geese may be killed |
Additional hunting method or equipment |
---|---|---|
Throughout Nunavut |
Aug. 15 to Aug. 31, 2020 |
Recorded bird calls l |
Throughout Nunavut |
May 1 to June 30, 2021 |
Recorded bird calls l |
l “Recorded bird calls” refers to bird calls of a species referred to in the heading of column 2.
Note: Hunters interested in participating in the 2021 spring conservation harvest of Snow Geese and Ross's Geese should keep their 2020 federal permits.
Northwest Territories
Area |
Period during which Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese may be killed |
Additional hunting method or equipment |
---|---|---|
Banks Island, Victoria Island and Queen Elizabeth Islands |
May 1 to June 30, 2021 |
Recorded bird calls m |
Throughout the Northwest Territories except Banks Island, Victoria Island and Queen Elizabeth Islands |
May 1 to May 28, 2021 |
Recorded bird calls m |
m “Recorded bird calls” refers to bird calls of a species referred to in the heading of column 2.
Note:
- Hunters interested in participating in the 2021 spring conservation harvest of Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese should keep their 2020 federal permits.
- No person shall hunt earlier than one hour before sunrise or later than one hour after sunset.
Yukon Territory
Area |
Period during which Snow Geese and Ross's Geese may be killed |
Additional hunting method or equipment |
---|---|---|
Throughout the Yukon Territory |
May 1 to May 28, 2021 |
Recorded bird calls n |
n “Recorded bird calls” refers to bird calls of a species referred to in the heading of column 2.
Note:
- Hunters interested in participating in the 2021 spring conservation harvest of Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese should keep their 2020 federal permits.
- No person shall hunt earlier than one hour before sunrise or later than one hour after sunset.
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