Managing overabundance in the face of social conflict: the case of the lesser snow goose

摘要

Wildlife professionals are becoming increasing involved with managing overabundant species, and these often are game species found in areas not open to hunting. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and Canada geese (Branta canadensis) are twoof the more common examples of species whose populations have required different and perhaps unconventional management approaches. The recent population growth of light geese in central North America has added a new twist to the management of overabundant species. Mid-continent lesser snow geese (Chen caerulescens caerulescens) and Ross' geese (Chen rossii) breed and nest in the eastern and central arctic and sub-arctic regions of Canada. They are referred to as "light" geese due to their whiter plumage, as opposed to Canada and white-fronted geese which are termed "dark" geese. The lesser snow goose occurs in two plumage phases: the white-phase ("snow") and darker ("blue") morph. Two populations of mid-continent light geese have been identified in North America and both occur mainly in the Central and Mississippi Flyways. The first migrates primarily through North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, and Missouri, winters in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and eastern and southern Texas, and is collectively known as the Mid-continent population (MCP) of light geese. The second population migrates through Montana, Wyoming and Colorado to winter in north-western Texas, New Mexico and the Mexican state of Chihuahua, and is called the Western Central Flyways population (WCFP). The two populations are collectively referred to as Mid-continent Light Geese (MCLG).