St. Paul, MN -(Ammoland.com)- This year’s Canada goose population was estimated at 244,000 geese, which was similar to last year’s estimate of 250,000 geese.
This does not include an additional estimated 17,500 breeding Canada geese in the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
“Although this year’s population estimate is similar to last year’s estimate, goose production, or the number of goslings that hatch, will be better than last year,” Cordts said. “This year’s colder than normal temperatures delayed some goose nesting, particularly in the northern portions of the state.”
The number of breeding Canada geese in the state is estimated via a helicopter survey of nesting Canada geese in April. The survey, which includes most of the state except for the Twin Cities metropolitan area, counts Canada geese on randomly selected plots located in prairie, transition and forested areas.
“Although colder than normal, the lack of snowfall in April this spring allowed geese to begin nesting only about a week later than normal,” Cordts said. “However, more nests were initiated this year than in spring of 2013, when snow remained on the ground in many parts of Minnesota well into May and goose production should be about average to slightly below average this year.”
The DNR will announce this fall’s waterfowl hunting regulations later this summer. The Minnesota waterfowl report is at MNDR Hunting Waterfowl.
About the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MDNR)
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is the agency of the U.S. state of Minnesota charged with conserving and managing the state’s natural resources. The agency maintains areas such as state parks, state forests, recreational trails, and recreation areas as well as managing minerals, wildlife, and forestry. The agency is currently divided into sections Ecological Resources, Enforcement, Fish & Wildlife, Forestry, Lands and Minerals, Waterways, Parks and Trails, and Waters.