Think Twice Before Shooting At Big White Waterfowl!

MUD LAKE - For years, waterfowl hunters in the Upper Snake Region have been accustomed to being careful about not shooting at protected trumpeter swans. In order to help protect these majestic white giants, hunters statewide have also lived with not being able to hunt the closely related tundra swans. Unfortunately, in areas where lots of swans are found, hunters sometimes have mistaken protected juvenile trumpeter swans for legal lighter colored geese. For this reason, the hunting of light geese is prohibited in Fremont and Teton Counties. While area residents are accustomed to seeing large flights of light geese moving through the area in the spring, they also pass through in the fall on their way south. According to Regional Wildlife Biologist Justin Naderman, "Occasionally we get light geese that decide to stay around a few days on their migration south and we don't want hunters in Fremont or Teton counties mistaking trumpeter swans for light geese." Much has been made by the media about the need to reduce the number of light geese in the central flyway by offering spring hunts. According to Naderman, "That is a different population than we have here. Our birds utilize completely different habitat, and aren't facing the same problems as the central flyway birds. There is no need for a spring season here." Hunters preparing for the upcoming waterfowl opener have probably heard about this years changes in bag limits, but given the way the waterfowl regulations were printed the section warning about the prohibition on hunting light geese in Teton and Fremont counties might be overlooked. When speaking about light geese, regulations are specifically addressing Ross' and Snow geese. Canada and White-fronted geese are considered dark geese. In 1951, because migratory waterfowl span not only local and state boundaries, but also international boundaries, the International Association of Game, Fish and Conservation Commissioners passed a resolution that created the four Flyway Councils. Guidelines regarding season frameworks are set by the United State Fish & Wildlife Service in coordination with the flyway councils. These guidelines are set based on past harvest numbers and current nesting success for the various flyway populations. State wildlife management agencies then set seasons that fit within these guidelines. Waterfowl regulations are available from the IDFG regional offices, IDFG license vendors and on the IDFG website located at http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/.