Animal Sciences Commons^™

Survival And Harvest Characteristics Of Giant Canada Geese In Eastern South Dakota, 2000–2004, Charles D. Dieter, Jeffrey S. Gleason, Bobby J. Anderson, Spencer Vaa, Paul W. Mammenga

Natural Resource Management Faculty Publications

The population of giant Canada geese (Branta canadensis maxima) in eastern South Dakota has increased substantially since reintroduction efforts began in the 1960s. Breeding population estimates of Canada geese exceeded the population management objective of the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks by the mid-1990s and has continued to increase at an estimated rate of 3 to 5% per year. Goose-related crop damage complaints have also increased. In 1996, a September hunting season (September 1 to 15) was implemented in 10 counties in eastern South Dakota and was expanded in 2000 to include most of eastern South Dakota. …