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Liberalized hunting helping to control snow geese
MDC
1/24/03
Increased hunting is making inroads in effort to address ecological problems caused by an overabundance of light geese.
JEFFERSON CITY MO- The thrill of the chase and wonders witnessed in the outdoors are the benefits of hunting that most people are used to hearing about. But talk of the ecological benefits of the sport may increase as hunters help halt damage to wildlife habitat.
Liberalized hunting of snow, blue and Ross' geese (collectively called light geese) has helped wildlife biologists throughout North America approach their goal of cutting populations of those species in half. Missouri Department of Conservation Wildlife Research Biologist Dave Garber says regulatory adjustments made over the past four years have helped stop an explosive growth of light geese numbers.
"Light goose numbers, a population index measured during the winter, peaked at about three million in 1998," said Graber. "In the past four years conservation orders liberalizing hunting have been enacted, and the light goose population has been cut to about 2.6 million. We want to get the population down to about 1.5 million. To do that, we need a harvest of about 1.4 million geese for the next several years."
Graber said Missouri hunters have been instrumental in reducing the numbers of light geese. Before the conservation orders, Missouri's annual light geese season harvest averaged less than 20,000. During the first three years of conservation orders, Missouri's harvests increased to approximately 100,000, and last year, hunters bagged more than 200,000 light geese.
Missouri hunters again are being called upon to help preserve arctic waterfowl habitat. A conservation order that allows hunters to pursue the geese beyond the regular hunting season is in effect now through April 30 in the north and Swan Lake zones and Jan. 27 through April 30 in the middle, south and southeast zones.
The light goose conservation order permits hunters to use methods not allowed during the regular hunting season. These include hunting with unplugged shotguns, using electronic calls, an unlimited harvest of light geese and the taking of geese until 30 minutes after sunset. All that is needed to participate in the season is a $6 Missouri Migratory Bird Hunting Permit.
The ultimate goal of the conservation order is ecological protection. Light geese have grown so numerous that they are damaging their nesting habitat in the arctic. Wildlife biologists say without a decrease in their population the birds could cause permanent damage to habitat that sustains them and other wildlife.
Habitat improvements and changes in agricultural practices along the birds' migratory route contributed to explosive growth in light goose numbers. The birds, which pull up plant roots when above-ground vegetation is exhausted, are eating away arctic tundra habitat. A third of the area is so damaged that biologists believe it is unlikely to recover in a lifetime.
Taking advantage of the light goose hunting opportunities is not only good for wildlife it can be great for the dinner table. One bird yields a little over a pound of breast meat. Snow goose breast is dark and rich. Marinating is a frequent choice for preparation.
One quick and easy recipe calls for soaking breast fillets in Italian salad dressing and then grilling them over charcoal or in the oven broiler. Another variation uses equal parts of white cooking wine and soy sauce seasoned with fresh garlic, ginger root and lime juice.
For best results, perforate the fillets with a fork and marinate overnight. To prevent drying, wrap breast halves in smoked bacon and check often to prevent overcooking. The red color of the meat makes it easy to believe they are not yet cooked. Cook only until firm to the center, leaving the fillets juicy and tender. Combine pan drippings with leftover marinade to make a sauce and serve with wild rice.
The huge amount of meat that successful snow goose hunters can accumulate encourages innovations, such as the following recipe for snow goose salami.
--12 pounds ground snow goose meat
--3 pounds pork sausage
--3/4 cup curing salt
--6 teaspoons of liquid hickory smoke seasoning
--5 teaspoons garlic powder
--6 teaspoons of cracked pepper
--6 teaspoons of whole mustard seed
Mix well and chill overnight. Divide into 1-pound portions and roll each into an 8-inch log. Wrap with cheesecloth and tie the ends. Place on a wire rack over a pan and bake four hours at 225 degrees. Freeze or refrigerate until used.
- Arleasha Mays -
MDC
1/24/03
Increased hunting is making inroads in effort to address ecological problems caused by an overabundance of light geese.
JEFFERSON CITY MO- The thrill of the chase and wonders witnessed in the outdoors are the benefits of hunting that most people are used to hearing about. But talk of the ecological benefits of the sport may increase as hunters help halt damage to wildlife habitat.
Liberalized hunting of snow, blue and Ross' geese (collectively called light geese) has helped wildlife biologists throughout North America approach their goal of cutting populations of those species in half. Missouri Department of Conservation Wildlife Research Biologist Dave Garber says regulatory adjustments made over the past four years have helped stop an explosive growth of light geese numbers.
"Light goose numbers, a population index measured during the winter, peaked at about three million in 1998," said Graber. "In the past four years conservation orders liberalizing hunting have been enacted, and the light goose population has been cut to about 2.6 million. We want to get the population down to about 1.5 million. To do that, we need a harvest of about 1.4 million geese for the next several years."
Graber said Missouri hunters have been instrumental in reducing the numbers of light geese. Before the conservation orders, Missouri's annual light geese season harvest averaged less than 20,000. During the first three years of conservation orders, Missouri's harvests increased to approximately 100,000, and last year, hunters bagged more than 200,000 light geese.
Missouri hunters again are being called upon to help preserve arctic waterfowl habitat. A conservation order that allows hunters to pursue the geese beyond the regular hunting season is in effect now through April 30 in the north and Swan Lake zones and Jan. 27 through April 30 in the middle, south and southeast zones.
The light goose conservation order permits hunters to use methods not allowed during the regular hunting season. These include hunting with unplugged shotguns, using electronic calls, an unlimited harvest of light geese and the taking of geese until 30 minutes after sunset. All that is needed to participate in the season is a $6 Missouri Migratory Bird Hunting Permit.
The ultimate goal of the conservation order is ecological protection. Light geese have grown so numerous that they are damaging their nesting habitat in the arctic. Wildlife biologists say without a decrease in their population the birds could cause permanent damage to habitat that sustains them and other wildlife.
Habitat improvements and changes in agricultural practices along the birds' migratory route contributed to explosive growth in light goose numbers. The birds, which pull up plant roots when above-ground vegetation is exhausted, are eating away arctic tundra habitat. A third of the area is so damaged that biologists believe it is unlikely to recover in a lifetime.
Taking advantage of the light goose hunting opportunities is not only good for wildlife it can be great for the dinner table. One bird yields a little over a pound of breast meat. Snow goose breast is dark and rich. Marinating is a frequent choice for preparation.
One quick and easy recipe calls for soaking breast fillets in Italian salad dressing and then grilling them over charcoal or in the oven broiler. Another variation uses equal parts of white cooking wine and soy sauce seasoned with fresh garlic, ginger root and lime juice.
For best results, perforate the fillets with a fork and marinate overnight. To prevent drying, wrap breast halves in smoked bacon and check often to prevent overcooking. The red color of the meat makes it easy to believe they are not yet cooked. Cook only until firm to the center, leaving the fillets juicy and tender. Combine pan drippings with leftover marinade to make a sauce and serve with wild rice.
The huge amount of meat that successful snow goose hunters can accumulate encourages innovations, such as the following recipe for snow goose salami.
--12 pounds ground snow goose meat
--3 pounds pork sausage
--3/4 cup curing salt
--6 teaspoons of liquid hickory smoke seasoning
--5 teaspoons garlic powder
--6 teaspoons of cracked pepper
--6 teaspoons of whole mustard seed
Mix well and chill overnight. Divide into 1-pound portions and roll each into an 8-inch log. Wrap with cheesecloth and tie the ends. Place on a wire rack over a pan and bake four hours at 225 degrees. Freeze or refrigerate until used.
- Arleasha Mays -
