Atlantic Population Canada Goose Season Opens November 15

---

ANNAPOLIS, MD - The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announces that the first portion of Maryland’s Atlantic Population (AP) Canada goose hunting season opens Thursday, November 15. The AP Canada goose season is split into two parts, running from November 15 to November 23 and then from December 15 to January 26. The daily bag limit is 2 Canada geese.

The AP Canada goose population comprises the northernmost nesting population of Canada geese. Geese affiliated with the AP nest north of 48° latitude in northern Québec along Ungava Bay, the northeastern shore of Hudson Bay (where 80% of the breeding birds are found), and in the interior of the Ungava Peninsula. Densities of breeding pairs are highest (>4 pair/mi2) along the western and eastern coasts of the Ungava Peninsula. The 2007 spring breeding pair survey of AP Canada geese found 195,700 pairs, up from 160,020 pairs in 2006. However, cold weather and a delay in the spring snow melt led to an overall reduction in nesting effort.

“Banding crews on the Ungava Peninsula found gosling production was poor, especially along the Hudson Bay coast. It will still be a good year for Maryland goose hunters but smaller than normal numbers of young geese will make geese more difficult to decoy,” said Larry Hindman, DNR Waterfowl Project Leader.

The AP Canada goose hunting season is open in the following areas of the State: Calvert, Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Harford, Kent, Queen Anne's, Somerset, St. Mary’s, Talbot, Wicomico, and Worcester Counties; portions of Baltimore County north of Route 138, Route 137, and Mount Carmel Road; portions of Carroll County north of Route 88, east of Route 30 from the intersection of Route 30 and Route 88 to the intersection of Route 30 and Route 482, north of Route 482, north of Route 27 from the intersection of Route 27 and Route 482 to the intersection of Route 27 and Route 97, and east of Route 97 from the intersection of Route 27 and Route 97 to the Pennsylvania line; portions of Anne Arundel County east of Interstate 895, Interstate 97, and Route 3; portions of Prince Georges County east of Routes 3 and 301; and portions of Charles County east of Route 301 to the VA state line.

The 2006-2007 Maryland Canada goose harvest was 152,700 birds which primarily included migrant AP Canada geese, but also included substantial numbers of Resident Population (non-migratory) Canada geese.

All migratory game bird hunters, including landowners who are license exempt, are required to obtain the Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp. Hunters must possess the printed receipt showing proof of purchase of the Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp while hunting Canada geese and other migratory game birds.

All waterfowl hunters age 16 and over must also purchase the Federal Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp (federal duck stamp). Hunters are still required to sign and possess the federal duck stamp while hunting waterfowl and coots. Hunters may obtain federal duck stamps at U.S. Post Offices, National Wildlife Refuges, and some DNR sport license agents or online at www.duckstamp.com.

Waterfowl hunters are reminded that nontoxic shot is required for hunting waterfowl and coots. Hunters may not possess or use nontoxic shotshells containing shot larger than size No. T or use or possess any lead shotshells while waterfowl hunting. Approved types of nontoxic shot and other information on migratory game bird hunting are listed in the 2007-2008 Guide to Hunting and Trapping in Maryland.

Hunters are encouraged to report banded migratory game birds by calling toll-free 1-800-327-BAND (2263). Banded birds can also be reported online at www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl/homepage/call800.htm.

Hunting season dates and bag limits for other waterfowl can be found online at www.dnr.state.md.us/huntersguide/lwfchart.asp.

---

November 6, 2007

Contact: Olivia Campbell 410-260-8016 office I 410-507-7525 cell ocampbell@dnr.state.md.us

Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 449,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov