Migratory bird hunter opinions regarding potential management strategies for controlling light goose populations

Wildlife Society Bulletin
By: , and 

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Abstract

We expanded the Nebraska Light Goose Conservation Order (LGCO) harvest survey (NE, USA) in spring 2012 to assess migratory bird hunter opinions regarding future management strategies for controlling light goose populations. Although hunters strongly agreed that population control of light geese was an important wildlife management issue, they were generally unsupportive of wildlife officials using forms of direct control methods to control light goose populations. Respondents who indicated participation in the 2012 LGCO were also less supportive of any form of direct control compared with migratory bird hunters who did not participate in the LGCO. When presented with alternative methods by wildlife officials for future light goose population control, respondents were most supportive of wildlife agencies selectively shooting light geese on migration and wintering areas and least supportive of wildlife officials using bait with approved chemicals to euthanize light geese. A clear understanding of public perception of various potential direct-control options will likely assist wildlife biologists in making informed decisions on how to proceed with population control of light geese.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Migratory bird hunter opinions regarding potential management strategies for controlling light goose populations
Series title Wildlife Society Bulletin
DOI 10.1002/wsb.465
Volume 38
Issue 4
Year Published 2014
Language English
Publisher Wildlife Society
Publisher location Bethesda, MD
Contributing office(s) Coop Res Unit Atlanta
Description 6 p.
First page 728
Last page 733
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
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