Spring light goose season opening

BISMARCK (AP) — North Dakota’s first bird hunting season in 2009 is only days away.

Spring light goose season opens statewide Saturday.

But state Game and Fish waterfowl biologist Mike Szymanski said hunters shouldn’t expect birds migrating through anytime soon. He said weather conditions aren’t conducive for geese to be around on opening day.

North Dakota’s annual spring season opens in February in case weather conditions allow for an early arrival. But availability of food and open water dictate when snow geese arrive. Early migrants generally start showing up in the southeast in mid-to-late March.

The spring season is only for light geese — snows, blues and Ross’s. It’s closed to whitefronts, Canada geese, swans and all other migratory birds. The season runs through May 10.

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