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Snow Goose Population Problem Part I

By

Mike Johnson

Originally published in:
North Dakota Outdoors
(August, 1996)

Official Publication of the
State Game and Fish Department
100 North Bismarck Expressway
Bismarck, North Dakota 58501-5095

Perhaps several million snow geese stop here to rest and feed, preparing for migration and reproduction. In October and November, snow geese are a major attraction for waterfowlers.

There are lots of snow geese - and unfortunately, that's a problem. Snow geese are in serious trouble. This growing population is destroying its own habitat. Waterfowl managers, who for generations have tried to restore, build and maintain populations, are now for the first time faced with an overabundant international waterfowl population.

Why is the snow geese population steadily growing? Why is it so large? What can be done about it? OUTDOORS will address these questions in a two-part series. In part one we will take a close look at snow geese, to explore the cause and extent of the problem. Next month, in part two, we'll examine some solutions that are being discussed.

Mike Johnson is the Game and Fish Department's migratory game bird management supervisor.

Table of Contents

• Too Many Geese
  
• The Cause
  
• Snow Goose Populations
  
• Mid-Continent Snows
  
• Breeding Biology
  
• The Problem
  
• Addressing the Problem

Snow Goose Population Problem: Part II - Working Toward a Solution
Snow Goose Population Problem: Part III - Arctic Ecosystems in Peril