Overabundant species: special conservation measures

Fall 2018 and Spring 2019

• Quebec
• Ontario
• Manitoba
• Saskatchewan
• Alberta
• Nunavut
• Northwest Territories
• Yukon Territory

Note: Hunters interested in participating in the spring conservation harvest of Snow Geese and Ross’s Geese should keep their 2018 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 2012). 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, 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 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.

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.

District F - Four maps showing the areas where the spring hunting of Greater Snow Geese is prohibited.

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.

Manitoba

ⁱ “Recorded bird calls” refers to bird calls of a species referred to in the heading of column 2.

Saskatchewan

^j “Recorded bird calls” refers to bird calls of a species referred to in the heading of column 2.

Alberta

^k “Recorded bird calls” refers to bird calls of a species referred to in the heading of column 2.

Nunavut

^l “Recorded bird calls” refers to bird calls of a species referred to in the heading of column 2.

Northwest Territories

^m “Recorded bird calls” refers to bird calls of a species referred to in the heading of column 2.

Yukon Territory

ⁿ “Recorded bird calls” refers to bird calls of a species referred to in the heading of column 2.