Geese

A Delicate Balance

Recommended Updates to Goose Population Objectives

Goose population objectives are summarized in Appendix E. After consultation with Flyways and the Arctic Goose Joint Venture, goose population estimates were updated, and objectives for some populations were revised to reflect thresholds in updated harvest management plans. Population objectives for geese must achieve a balance: maintaining numbers that support liberal hunting opportunities for licensed hunters and Indigenous harvesters, while also preventing overabundance that could harm natural habitats and sympatric species and create conflicts with people. Two other recommendations address information needs for goose populations:

1. Devote more resources to ensure robust, long-term monitoring programs for Arctic- and subarctic-nesting geese, primarily annual banding programs, national harvest surveys and aerial surveys. Additionally, devote more resources to evaluate biases and representativeness of Lincoln estimates, harvest estimates and band-recovery data to ensure accurate population status monitoring.
2. Support research to understand population and harvest dynamics of light geese (Ross's and snow geese) and their impacts on habitats and other species. Research is also needed on hunter and public attitudes to/perceptions of light geese. Support investigations to better understand demographic rates and habitat usage of geese throughout the annual cycle, particularly maritime goose species such as brant and emperor geese.