Northwest Oregon/Southwest Washington Canada Goose Agricultural Depredation Control Draft Plan

Comments are being solicited through December 15, 1997 on a draft management plan to address agricultural depredation problems associated with growing numbers of Canada geese wintering in the Willamette Valley - Lower Columbia River (WV-LCR) area of Northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington. The plan addresses a complex problem brought about by the mixing of several different populations of Canada geese throughout the region in fall and winter. These different populations of Canada geese are at very different population levels, some requiring protection while others are healthy and growing. The following are the major goals of the plan:

1. Stabilize the number of Canada geese wintering in the WV-LCR and then reduce the wintering population in the WV-LCR by 20% by the year 2002.

2. Develop and employ monitoring techniques to accurately assess population trends, distribution, and survival rates of Canada geese on breeding and wintering grounds.

3. Review and improve habitat management programs on Federal refuges and state wildlife areas in order to increase Canada goose use on public lands.

4. Formulate a land acquisition working group which will develop and implement a program to acquire additional habitat for Canada geese in the WV-LCR.

5. Establish a research program to conduct damage assessment studies in order to determine the economic impact to landowners from wintering Canada geese.

6. Establish a nonlethal control (hazing) program to reduce depredation by geese on private lands.

7. Evaluate the use of supplemental feeding of Canada geese to reduce depredation by geese on private lands.

8. Maintain or increase Canada goose harvest to reduce and redistribute Canada geese in the WV-LCR.

9. Increase funding for Canada goose management activities conducted by governmental agencies and private organizations in the region.

10. Establish a public outreach program designed to increase public awareness of issues relating to Canada goose management and addresses concerns of all affected interests.

If you would like a complete copy of this draft plan, please fill in the request form below before and send it to: (Comments on the plan may be sent to the same address until December 15, 1997)

Draft Plan Request
U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Office of Migratory Bird Management
911 NE 11th Avenue, Room 125
Portland, OR 97232-4181

Name:__________________________________________________

Street Address:__________________________________________

City:___________________________________________________

State:__________________________________________________

Zip Code:_______________________________________________