AR-News: (US CO) Wind, feed hurt goose hunt

[Animalara2003 at aol.com]

As if snow geese weren't hard enough to hunt already, try shortening their 
rations, scattering them with wind and blizzards and go figure. No one disputes 
that the northbound light goose migration was under way in time for Monday's 
extended hunting opener. 
But in some of the usual hot spots, it has turned into a migration with no 
wings. Or on the wings of bandits making a fast getaway.
The federally mandated "conservation order" hunt to control overpopulated 
lesser snow geese and Ross geese goes until March 31 east of Interstate 25, with 
an unlimited daily bag, electronically recorded calls allowed and other 
generous nods to hunters. 
But if opening day was any indication, Coloradans won't be trimming many of 
the 4 million to 6 million geese going up the Central Flyway. 
Biologist Jeff Yost of the Division of Wildlife in Lamar had one word to 
describe Monday's hunting conditions and numbers of snow geese in the normally 
goose-rich southeastern counties: "Rotten," he said. 
"It's blowing so hard the geese aren't even on the water. I don't know where 
they went, somewhere northwest." 
Jack Ghentz, who manages Queens State Wildlife Area near Eads, in the heart 
of migration stopover country, also mentioned the howling wind. But he was more 
impressed with a dramatic decline in snow goose numbers. 



full story:

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/recreation_columnists/article/0,1299,DRM
N_85_2695924,00.html 
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