Goose inquiry...

S

Steve Steffy

Well-known member
So this came up on another site I frequent. The question was what kind of geese are these? He shot them coming in with a group of Canada's. I know what my response to him was. I just thought I'd throw it out for a hardcore group of waterfowlers to nibble on for a bit. There were three "white" geese that came in with a flock of Canada's to layout blinds in a cornfield. Just hope he didn't tick the farmers wife off...


Wes%20with%20white%20geese%20972015.jpg

 
That is an interesting situation. If domestic breed you would not need to worry about a Federal violation of taking a light phased migratory specie during the Canadian Goose season. However, a state warden could nail you. To count Federally it has to be listed in the MBTA and domestic species of geese are not.

Doesn't look like a hybrid Canada Domestic Cross becuase some traits show in first and second generations. Not leucistic either.
 
From what I can see in the photo I think Carl is half right. I say that because of what little I can tell from the bills. They look thinner and pinker then what I would expect in a pure domestic Greylag. I have seen some nearly pure white or at least very lightly marked Canada x Park Goose hybrids.

If that was a recent photo I know what else I'd say. Just like I don't shoot at dark colored geese when spring Snow Goose hunting I sure wouldn't shoot white geese in September. I guess maybe someone could be 100% sure they were domestic but it takes a lot to be that sure on the wing.

Tim
 
They are not Canada geese by appearance. Therefore a conundrum during a Canada Goose Season, that in my experience a state or federal wildlife officer would be happy to discuss no matter how tasty they may be...
 
Didn't think about it before, so I checked. During our early season, its Canada geese only, light geese are not open.
 
I'm pretty sure if it got very far that they are at least part Canada Goose. The photo below is one I found that to me at least is clearly a park x Canada cross.

HybridGoose.-752284_zpsqbxg1t5b.jpg


Having said that I wouldn't shoot them in the early season just to avoid any hassle. We do get the occasional Snow that sticks around for the summer. Likely a cripple that later healed up enough to fly. Just best not to shoot white.

It wouldn't surprise me to hear that this guy had seen them before and knew what they were before he shot them. There are some areas where Canada's with a lot of white are down right common.

Tim
 
Not wild geese... Legal year round.

We kill a couple every year and don't count them toward our limit.
 
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