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Commission reduces early Canada-goose bag limits, adopts action plan
Summary
The commission adopted a Canada Goose Action Plan and approved staff proposals to reduce two early Canada‑goose daily bag limits from 15 to 8 and to close August management take in five northeastern counties; the changes will proceed as proposals for public comment with finalization in April.
Andrew Norton presented updated Canada goose abundance estimates that moved a managed population index back into objective range. Based on three‑year averages staff recommended moving to a moderate (MA) management strategy in parts of the state, which includes reducing daily bag limits in the August management take and the early‑fall September season from 15 birds to 8 birds and closing August management take in five northeastern counties (Brown, Edmunds, Faulk, McPherson and one county name redacted in the transcript).
Norton explained the recommendation arose because the three‑year rolling average returned the population metrics closer to objective, allowing limited reductions in harvest pressure in the early seasons. The Canada Goose Action Plan, which includes decision‑support tables and management strategies, had a 60‑day public comment period; staff received three comments (two opposed and one about municipal geese).
Commission action: the commission voted to move the season‑change proposals to formal public comment and adopted the Canada Goose Action Plan (motion moved by Commissioner Cole, seconded by Commissioner Whitmer). The commission also approved proposed rule changes to adjust the early‑season daily bag from 15 to 8 where identified in the decision table; finalization is expected in April.
What’s next: the proposed regulatory changes will be published for public comment and returned to the commission for final adoption in April.
