Year Pairs Total 82 559 1483 83 470 1451 84 557 1162 85 550 1331 86 461 1029 87 577 1504 88 814 2057 89 621 1081 90 802 1729 91 735 1831 92 650 1528 93 686 1282 94 892 2009 95 621 1571 96 329 730 97 ND ND 98 875 2262 99 613 1955 00 571 1282 01 532 1231 02 632 1177 03 497 1023 04 712 1533 Average 598 1402
Canada goose breeding population increase in Magic Valley Region
idfg-staff
JEROME - Idaho Department of Fish and Game biologists counted 712 Canada goose breeding pairs in the Magic Valley Region this spring. This is the most birds biologist have counted in the region since 1998.
Drought conditions in the Magic Valley Region have continued to drive goose numbers down over the past six years, while goose number throughout much of the Rocky Mountain Region continue to remain high.
Low goose reproduction numbers was the main reason for the Magic Valley Region's lower bag limits. While the rest of the state has a four dark-goose bag limit, the Magic Valley Region could only substance a three-goose limit.
The information gathered from the count in the Magic Valley Region and counts conducted in other parts of the county have been submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The count information enables them to follow national trends in goose populations. Biologists will use the information to set season length and bag limits for the fall hunting seasons throughout Idaho and the United States.
Goose reproduction, like with all game animals, is a key component in setting season lengths, bag limits, and methods of take. As populations increase, it allows biologist to increase opportunity while maintaining population goals.