SAINTE-FOY, March 30, 2006 --
Environment Canada has confirmed that there will be a spring conservation harvest
of the Greater Snow Goose in 2006. As in previous years, this will take place
from April 1 to May 31, 2006, in southern Quebec and from May 1 to June 30,
2006, in the north. Harvesting is authorized only on farmland, excluding those
areas where large numbers of people customarily congregate to watch the geese,
such as around Lac St-Pierre and Montmagny.
The only change in the 2006 regulations from those in force in 2005 concerns
the hunting facilities, which must now be set up only on farmland, not on ponds,
streams, rivers, canals or mud flats.
In the spring of 2005, hunters took some 34,600 geese. This represents a five
percent increase over the spring 2004 harvest. The most successful hunting
was on the stretch of the St. Lawrence between Trois-Rivières upstream
and Rivière-du-Loup downstream where approximately 70 percent of the
total harvest took place. It is estimated that 814,600 geese migrated through
southern Quebec in the spring of 2005.
Hunters who would like to take part in the 2006 spring conservation harvest
must hold a migratory bird hunting permit for 2005-2006 and obtain a Quebec
small game hunting permit for 2006-2007. Those who did not obtain a migratory
bird permit in the fall can still apply for one at most Canada Post offices
or from the offices of the Canadian Wildlife Service at 1141 Route
de l’Église, Sainte-Foy.
Further information on the regulations in force in the spring of 2006 can
be obtained by calling 1 800 463-4311.
A full explanation of the spring harvest, a special conservation measure,
can also be found on the Web site of the Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment
Canada at: www.qc.ec.gc.ca/faune/oiesn/oiesn.html
For further information, please contact:
Paul Milot
Communications Advisor
(418) 649-8070
