SW Washington Goose Management

Q: All Canada geese are the same, aren't they?

A: No, there are six subspecies of Canada goose that winter in Washington State. They may look similar to us, but are recognized as being distinct by taxonomists. In particular the dusky Canada goose was recognized as a separate subspecies in 1954 and remains so. This is important since the Endangered Species Act of 1973 looks at each subspecies separately. The law says that the term "species" includes any subspecies of wildlife and any distinct population. To prevent a subspecies such as the dusky, from being listed as threatened or endangered, we must provide it with adequate protection.

Q: How do we know the taxonomists are right in calling the dusky a separate subspecies?

A: Subspecies groupings are not arbitrary but represent distinct populations. Dusky Canada geese all nest in one isolated area, the Copper River Delta in Alaska, and share common characteristics including size and color. Isolation of this sort will often lead to subspeciation, as it has in the case of the dusky. Subspeciation gradually leads to speciation through genetic isolation (when they can no longer breed with other subspecies). Therefore by looking at the DNA one can determine how distinct a subspecies is from another. While few taxonomists doubt the appropriateness of the classification, genetic studies are currently underway which will shed light on this question for the dusky. In 1997 we began collecting tissue samples which will contribute to the base of genetic information. Researchers in Alaska are leading the study, and we must wait for them to complete their analysis. We expect the US Fish and Wildlife Service to publish their results soon.

Q: Dusky Canada geese are dark breasted big geese, right?

A: Yes, a typical dusky Canada goose is a larger bird with a dark breast. However, as in any wildlife species or subspecies, there is variation. Interbreeding with other subspecies does not necessarily bring about this variation, but rather it is natural. The "type specimen" (the one used to describe the group) usually represents the middle of the range, and in the case of color, there are both darker and lighter birds. Some of the lightest birds have color that overlaps with another subspecies, the lesser Canada goose. It is not possible that a distinct separation between these two subspecies can be made based on color alone.

Q: At the check stations sometimes a darker bird is not counted as a dusky while some lighter ones are. What's going on here?

A: At the check station, the employees are looking at only two things: The breast color just below the stocking of the neck, and the length of the bill. If the color is 5 or darker, judged using a Munsell soil chart, and if the bill length is between 40 and 50 millimeters, it is counted as a dusky. If it is lighter or has a shorter bill length, it is not. Nothing else is considered. Using this approach most of the dusky Canada geese brought in by hunters are counted against the quota. Some are not. Likewise the vast majority of the harvested geese from other subspecies are not counted in the quota, but some are. It would be like trying to separate two intersecting spheres. To cut off all of one, you must leave some of the other inside. To get most of the duskys we must include a few lessers, which are counted against the quota. But remember a few duskys go uncounted too.

Q: Is it fair that some hunters lose this season's hunting privilege after shooting a light breasted bird that is counted as a dusky?

A: We have made every effort to make the process as fair as possible. All the harvested birds are measured in the same way so that every hunter is treated the same. We have used color as a primary factor separating subspecies, so that the hunter in the field has the best chance possible to make the correct choice when seeing a flying goose. We have provided materials to help prepare the hunter to successfully differentiate between subspecies, and most of them do. However, we do not arbitrarily change the standard for any particular case; that would not be fair. We recommend that hunters avoid shooting any goose if the key area of the upper breast cannot be clearly seen. We also recommend that hunters not shoot geese that are in the range of color overlap mentioned above. To regularly do so will increase the likelihood of shooting a bird that will be counted a dusky.

Q: What happens if the dusky Canada goose gets listed under the Endangered Species Act?

A: When a species or subspecies is listed under the federal endangered species act, the federal government, namely the U. S. fish and Wildlife Service, exerts more control over its management. Activities supported or controlled by the federal government must then contribute to the recovery of the species or sub species. Activities that limit recovery or contribute to a decline must end. If the dusky Canada goose were listed, our ability to relieve the depredation problems that farmers in SW Washington experience would be even more limited than now. Total protection of the subspecies would be likely, and hunting seasons in dusky Canada goose wintering areas might be suspended.

Q: Why do you have to hassle the hunters with check stations, testing, and other limitations?

A: Unfortunately check stations and training and testing are a necessary part of current management. In an effort to keep hunting seasons open in southwestern Washington, we have been given a specific number of dusky Canada geese that we may harvest. In 1996 that quota was 67, and in 1997 through 2000, it has been 85. It is important that we limit the take of duskys and that we are able to demonstrate to the Flyway Council that we have kept within, our quota. The only practical way to limit the take of duskys is to train and test the hunters. The only convincing way to show that we have kept within our quota is to check every goose harvested and to record whether it is a dusky or not. It's expensive, it's a lot of work, and it's not much fun, not for us and not for the hunters. We certainly do not prefer it, but it seems the only way to provide some depredation control by providing some hunting recreation, and still protect the dusky Canada goose.