North Dakota's Early Canada Goose Season Opens Aug. 15

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An early hunting season intended to reduce local Canada goose numbers in North Dakota opens statewide Aug. 15, two weeks earlier than past years.

Mike Johnson, game management section leader for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, said hunting Canada geese in August might not be for everyone, but it will provide an opportunity for some and will help landowners with crop depredation problems.

”Conditions will be different in August than what most waterfowl hunters are accustomed to,” Johnson said. “We will watch what happens this fall, and if needed make adjustments for next year.”

Hunters will likely come across unharvested crops, mosquitoes and summer heat. Immediate care of game will most likely be required, Johnson mentioned.

The earlier opener is permitted under the framework provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which allows states to open what is considered a “management take” season on Canada geese as early as Aug. 1. Game and Fish Department officials decided to open in mid-August as a first step in this new “management take” opportunity.

Any Canada goose hunting days added in August do not count against the 107-day federal framework. Therefore, the two-week earlier opening date does not affect the length of the early Canada goose or regular waterfowl seasons.

There will be a Missouri River Canada goose zone, which will provide additional late season hunting opportunities many waterfowl hunters seek. Within the season dates of the Missouri River zone, eight days will be removed from the early season in September and added to the end of the regular season.

“Since the late ‘90s, an increasing number of Canada geese have been remaining on the Missouri River System in North Dakota later in the year,” Johnson said. “These geese used to winter in South Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas, but have stayed north later due to open winters, and less hunting pressure compared to other states.”

In the Missouri River zone, the early Canada goose season will conclude Sept. 7, and will have a proposed regular season closing date of Jan. 2. The rest of the state will have an early season ending date of Sept. 15, with a proposed end to the regular Canada goose season of Dec. 25.

Despite liberalized Canada goose seasons the past several years, the statewide population remains high, with numbers well-above population goals. The growing population has resulted in increased reports from landowners concerning depredation on crops and nuisance problems.

During the past decade, hunters have been able to take advantage of longer Canada goose hunting seasons, maximum bag limits and expanded shooting hours. While these strategies have resulted in considerable increases in harvest, the population remains above objective levels.

This year’s early season will have a daily limit of five Canada geese and a possession limit of 10. Shooting hours will be one-half hour before sunrise to sunset daily. Limits and shooting hours are different from the regular season, as the proposed regular season bag limit is three daily and six in possession.

All migratory bird hunters must register with the Harvest Information Program prior to hunting. Hunters who purchase a license through the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s website (gf.nd.gov) or instant licensing telephone number (800-406-6409) can easily get HIP certified. Otherwise, hunters can call 888-634-4798 and record the HIP number on their fishing, hunting and furbearer certificate. Those who registered to hunt the spring light goose season in North Dakota do not have to register with HIP again, as it is required only once per year.

Normal licensing requirements for the regular season, including a federal duck stamp, apply to the early season. Nonresidents who hunt in Sargent and Richland counties during the early season may do so without counting against their 14-day regular season license.

Waterfowl rest areas, closed to hunting during the regular season, will be open during the early season. Most land in these rest areas is private, so hunters may need permission to hunt.

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