The experimental February Canada goose hunting season started last year in selected counties to better control the numbers of the breeding waterfowl around urban areas, and will continue in 2009, as a result of the Indiana Department of Natural Resource’s (DNR) passing a temporary rule to hold the season again.

The counties where geese can be hunted during the season, which runs Feb. 1-15, include: Steuben, LaGrange, Elkhart, St. Joseph, La Porte, Starke, Marshall, Kosciusko, Noble, Dekalb, Allen, Whitley, Huntington, Wells, Adams, Boone, Hamilton, Madison, Hendricks, Marion, Hancock, Morgan, Johnson, Shelby, Vermillion, Parke, Vigo, Clay, Sullivan and Greene.

According to Adam Phelps, DNR waterfowl biologist, the February 2008 season was a success. “We issued permits to over 4,000 hunters and nearly 3,000 of those hunted,” he said.

Phelps estimated nearly 5,000 Canada geese were harvested during the season and said considering the wild fluctuations in weather Indiana experienced during the month, the results were excellent.

To meet guidelines from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), at least 80 percent of the geese harvested during the three-year experimental period must be the giant subspecies of Canada goose. The giant is the goose that commonly breeds in Indiana and surrounding states.

After the first year, Indiana meets the federal requirements for continuing the late season; however, Phelps said weather can have a huge effect on harvest, which is why the season must be evaluated over three years.

“I don’t expect it to happen, but we could find out that over a three-year average, we’re harvesting too many northern migrant birds and have to close the season,” he said.

Phelps said if 2009 numbers are similar to those in 2008, 2010 might be the last year of the season’s “experimental” status.
Under such a scenario, after the final analysis of all three years of data, Phelps said the DNR would likely request the FWS grant operational status to the season. If approved, hunters would no longer have to check in birds harvested, nor would a permit be needed to hunt.

While overall response from hunters was very good in 2008, there were some growing pains with the new season. Many complaints regarded the permitting process. An overwhelming number of requests for permits immediately before the season meant the issuing of many permits was delayed.

Thanks to an improvement in the process, the problem is less likely to happen in 2009. “We now have the ability to issue permits online, so hunters can print their own permit,” Phelps said.  “This will save the hunter time, and also save the state time and money.
“Although it was challenging, because we must have a biologist at each location, we have added three check stations this year in response to hunter concerns about driving distances.”

The stations were added to areas underserved last year: Vigo, Boone and Dekalb counties. “We are at the limit of the number of check stations we can effectively man with available staff,” Phelps said. “Hopefully existing stations, with these additions, will address the needs of most hunters for the late season.”

Hunters must check all geese harvested at a check station. Geese must have the head, a fully feathered wing and reproductive parts still attached when the bird is checked. Check station staff will age and sex each bird, and will remove and keep the head of all adult birds checked.

Data collected from the heads are used to determine whether the late season will continue in future years. Even if Indiana’s season meets federal guidelines, the season may be closed in future years if local Canada goose populations are sufficiently reduced.

The bag limit for the experimental season is five Canada geese per day, with a possession limit of 10, same as for the September season. Shooting hours are from a half-hour before sunrise, to sunset.

The same regulations and restrictions for the September season apply during the February season. In addition to a valid hunting license, Indiana waterfowl stamp, signed federal duck stamp and an HIP (Harvest Information Program) number, a free permit is also required.

The free permit is available at www.IN.gov/dnr/fishwild beginning in early December, by phone at 317-232-4200 or at any state Fish and Wildlife Area, field office or reservoir during regular hours in January.

Hunters are encouraged to get their permits online. Online is the easiest and fastest way to get a permit, since it can be printed almost immediately. The online system also saves postage costs. Hunters are also encouraged not to wait until the last minute to obtain a permit.

The temporary rule also establishes a one-year Feb. 16-March 31 season for snow and Ross’s geese. The HIP number and federal duck stamp are not required to take snow or Ross’s geese.
The DNR director has exclusive authority to adopt temporary rules regarding such issues. Such rules are valid for a maximum of one year and can be renewed by the director for an additional period not to exceed one year.

Great DNR outdoor gift ideas

You can avoid the malls and give a friend or family member a unique outdoor gift or experience by ordering soon from the Indiana DNR – but hurry, if you want to meet holiday mailing deadlines.

Gift cards and certificates delivered by mail to Indiana residents need to be ordered no later than Dec. 18. Regardless of whether you buy one of the items below, make sure to give your child or grandchild the gift of time for a winter hike, a hunting trip or a nature center visit at a state park, reservoir or state forest trail in January.

The CampIN Gift Card is good for reservations for camping, recreation buildings, shelters, cabins, group camps and rent-a-camps or group cottages. To order, call 866-6CampIN (622-6746) or visit a state park or reservoir office.

The following are available online at Mother Nature’s Mercantile at www.innsgifts.com and by other methods as listed.

2009 Annual Entrance Passes, Golden Hoosier Passes, Horse Permits and Annual Lake Permits: Available in Indianapolis at the Indiana Government Center Customer Service Center (402 W. Washington Street). Online orders include a shipping/handling fee. Passes and permits also are available at local state park and reservoir offices.

Indiana State Park Inn Gift Certificates: For lodging, restaurant meals, golfing and gift shop purchases in any of the seven inn locations. Contact 877-LODGES1 (563-4371).

Outdoor Experiences: Give the gift of an outdoor experience, such as taking your staff to lunch with Indiana raptors, taking your family on a caving trip, working with an archaeologist at Fort Harrison State Park or taking your family for a ride on Pokagon State Park’s refrigerated toboggan run.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments may contact Jack Spaulding by e-mail at jackspaulding@hughes.net or by writing to him in care of this publication.