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

^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

^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

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

^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

^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

^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

^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

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.