Late geese hunting season to begin early February

Some Hoosier residents will be able to hunt geese during later dates again this year, according to an Indiana Department of Natural Resources press release.
The season will last from Feb. 1-15 in 30 Indiana counties, including Morgan and Greene
counties.

The late hunting season helps control the population of the breeding “giant” subspecies of Canada geese that live in urban areas.

Those who wish to participate need to have a valid hunting license, Indiana waterfowl stamp privilege, signed federal duck stamp and a Harvest Information Program number.

Hunters do not need a special permit to hunt during this season and birds no longer need to be checked, according to the press release.

During the 2012 and 2013 late hunting seasons, Hoosier hunters harvested 8,100 Canada geese, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

It is estimated that about 41,600 geese have been harvested during the late seasons throughout the last six years.

“The season may be closed or the bag limit reduced in future years if local Canada goose populations are sufficiently reduced,” according to the DNR press release.

For more information, visit nr.IN.gov.

— Sydney Murray