Waterfowl Update - Nov. 2, 2005

U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE

NEWS RELEASE

To: News Editor/News Director/Webmaster
From: Ken Torkelson, USFWS
Date: Nov. 2, 2005

MORE SNOW GEESE ARRIVE IN STATE, SAYS USFWS

Snow geese have started moving into North Dakota in greater numbers this week. However, the weekly report from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service notes that duck hunting remains slow in most locations.

The snow goose population at Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge near Kenmare has reached 100,000. Acting project leader Dan Severson says new snow geese have been arriving daily. The Refuge is also holding 1,500 white-fronted geese, about 2,000 Canada geese and some 15,000 mallards. Severson reports most local ducks have moved out of the area. He adds that about 1,000 tundra swans are using the Refuge, where all the water remains open.

Divide County is holding more than 50,000 snow geese at times, but some travel back and forth from Saskatchewan. Tim Kessler of the Crosby Wetland Management District says an area north of Noonan is holding quite a few snows. He believes duck numbers have dwindled, with small groups of less than 1,000 seen occasionally.

Lostwood National Wildlife Refuge is holding about 5,000 mallards, but not many snow geese are present on the Refuge in southeastern Burke County. Biologist Cory Lawson says the Refuge is holding quite a few tundra swans, as is Mountrail County, which also has scattered bunches of snow geese.

More snow geese have reached Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge near Minot. Spokesperson Darla Leslie says there has been a substantial increase since last week. She reports there has been no large influx of Canada geese, and duck hunting remains slow.

Duck numbers are low, but more snow geese have reached J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge in north-central North Dakota. Project leader Tedd Gutzke estimates 25,000 snow geese are spread out on the Refuge, along with about 5,000 Canada geese. However, he says the Refuge is holding only about 5,000 ducks.

Audubon National Wildlife Refuge and surrounding areas are holding 5,000 snow geese and an equal number of lesser Canada geese. Biologist Craig Hultberg reports the Turtle Lake area is also holding several thousand migrant Canada geese. In addition, most of the local Canada geese are still around. He says ducks have become hard to find, but is hopeful weather changes will bring in more birds.

Snow geese are starting to show up in good numbers in northeastern North Dakota. Biologist Mark Fisher of the Devils Lake Wetland Management District says Canada goose numbers are also increasing and the scaup population in the area remains strong, but mallards are hard to find. He notes most other puddle ducks have departed. Fisher says hunter pressure seems to be decreasing. He reminds waterfowl hunters that deer season opens this weekend, and he suggests waterfowlers wear orange while heading to and from the marshes, and keep their dogs close.

More ducks have departed Long Lake National Wildlife Refuge near Moffit, but a couple thousand snow geese have moved in. Biologist Gregg Knutsen reports modest increases in the numbers of mallards and snow geese in surrounding areas of Burleigh and Kidder counties. However, he warns that scouting is still needed to find good concentrations of ducks and geese. Knutsen adds that many of the tundra swans have moved out.

Mallards remain scattered in Stutsman County, and hunters are seeing some diving ducks on larger bodies of water. Dave Bolin of the Chase Lake Prairie Project says fair numbers of lesser Canada geese and resident Canadas are still in the area.

Waterfowl populations are on the rise at Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge north of Jamestown. Biologist Paulette Scherr estimates the Refuge could be holding up to 60,000 mallards, more than 10,000 Canada geese, groups of 100 to 200 snow geese, a few white-fronted geese, and some late sandhill cranes. She notes that the areas north and east of the Refuge are very dry, and most of the ducks have moved to larger bodies of water.

Duck hunting is slow in southeast-central North Dakota. Mick Erickson of the Kulm Wetland Management District says most of the area's birds are in Logan and McIntosh counties, where water conditions are better. He reports seeing some small flocks of snow geese and tundra swans, but very few migrant Canada geese.

Resident Canada geese are being found in larger concentrations in Barnes and Stutsman counties. Park ranger Ben Cleghorn of the Valley City Wetland Management District says the geese are feeding in freshly-harvested fields. He reports very few ducks or snow geese in the area, but has seen some tundra swans in the northern part of the district.

A few more ducks and geese have arrived in southeastern North Dakota. Jack Lalor, assistant manager at Tewaukon National Wildlife Refuge, says mallards are gathering on the larger bodies of water, with some flocks of 2,500 to 3,500 birds. He adds that the population of lesser Canada geese in the area is increasing slowly.

The past week has brought large numbers of geese, ducks and swans to Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge in northeastern South Dakota. Biologist Bill Schultze reports the Refuge's snow goose population has jumped from 3,000 to 17,000 in that time, duck numbers have grown from 75,000 to 120,000, the Canada goose population is up from 2,800 to 4,200 and tundra swans now number 2,800, after 1,850 were counted last week. Schultze says waterfowl are feeding in many of the area's harvested corn fields.

Hunters are reminded that the pintail and canvasback seasons have closed. Also, officers continue to encounter hunters who fail to leave proper identification on birds being transported. Regulations require one fully feathered wing or the fully feathered head of all waterfowl to remain attached during transportation.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.