Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center
Canada geese (Branta canadensis) tended to spend more time alert in agricultural habitats, which were probably more exposed to disturbances than seasonal wetlands in the refuge interior or the water roost sites. Vigilance did not differ among the habitats in the hunting season), thus the effects of hunting disturbances are far-reaching. All wetland use in late fall occurred in the refuge interior, which is not hunted. However, geese in the refuge interior often responded to gunshots from the hunting zone by ceasing other activities and becoming alert or vigilant at least briefly. Canada Geese may habituate to disturbances in some locations, which may account for the lower vigilance of geese on pastures in winter. These pastures appeared to be traditionally used by geese and may be considered as safe fields. Geese appeared to avoid or leave locations where excessive disturbances in an area restricted feeding and where geese did not habituate to the disturbances.