N.D.'s early Canada goose season opens in August

North Dakota’s early Canada goose season opens statewide Sunday, Aug. 15.

This year’s early season will have a daily limit of five Canada geese and a possession limit of 10. Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset daily. Limits and shooting hours are different from the regular season, as the proposed regular season bag limit is three daily and six in possession.

Normal licensing requirements for the regular season, including a federal duck stamp, apply to the early season. Nonresidents who hunt in Sargent and Richland counties during the early season may do so without counting against their 14-day regular season license.

All migratory bird hunters must register with the Harvest Information Program prior to hunting. Hunters who purchase a license through the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s website (gf.nd.gov) or instant licensing telephone number 800-406-6409 can easily get HIP certified. Otherwise, hunters can call 888-634-4798 and record the HIP number on their fishing, hunting and furbearer certificate. Those who registered to hunt the spring light goose season in North Dakota do not have to register with HIP again, as it is required only once per year.

Waterfowl rest areas, closed to hunting during the regular season, will be open during the early season. Most land in these rest areas is private, so hunters may need permission to hunt.

The early hunting season is intended to reduce local Canada goose numbers. Despite liberalized seasons the past several years, the statewide population remains high, with numbers well above population goals. The large population has resulted in increased reports from landowners concerning depredation on crops and nuisance problems.

During the past decade, hunters have been able to take advantage of longer Canada goose hunting seasons, large bag limits and expanded shooting hours. While these strategies have increased harvest considerably, the population remains above objective levels.

For additional information and regulations, hunters should refer to the Game and Fish Department website.

Tags: canada goose season, from g and f, outdoors, agriculture, hunting