On October 15, 2012, the Pennsylvania Senate adopted Senate Resolution 364, which urges the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to extend the hunting season for resident Canada geese in Pennsylvania. SR 364 is aimed at combating issues resulting from a growing population of Canada geese in Pennsylvania, including increased crop depredation and nuisance problems. The resolution received strong support from the Pennsylvania Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus, with Senator Richard Alloway serving as the primary sponsor. SR 364 also received sponsorship from Caucus Co-Chairs Senator James Brewster and Senator Mike Brubaker, as well as Caucus Members Senators John Rafferty and Timothy Solobay. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) sets the framework for managing Canada geese and other migratory game birds in each state based on a comprehensive analysis of goose habitat, conservation practices, harvest numbers, the number of hunters, estimated goose populations and other factors.
The rules and regulations that individual state game departments, commissions and agencies adopt for managing Canada geese in their respective states must fall within the parameters established by the Service. Currently, all Pennsylvania seasons and bag limits for Canada geese mirror the federal parameters for the state, meaning that a change in federal management guidelines would be required in order to extend the hunting season(s) for resident Canada geese in Pennsylvania.
Studies conducted at both the state and federal level have found that the number of hunters and trappers have been on a generally declining trend over the past several decades. To increase recruitment, retention, and reactivation (R3) of hunters and trappers, which initiative do you think would have the greatest impact?
