01-28-2004, 11:09 PM
PIERRE – The 2004 Spring Light Goose Conservation Order will be open Feb. 1 through May 15 in a continued effort to reduce the overabundant population of light geese.
"Hunters will be able to harvest snow geese, blue geese and Ross’ geese with the same requirements and restrictions as during regular state waterfowl seasons, except that electronic calls and shotguns capable of holding more than three shells are allowed during this event," said Game, Fish and Parks Waterfowl Biologist Spencer Vaa of Brookings. "In addition, hunters have an extra one-half hour for hunting in the evening, as shooting hours begin one-half hour before sunrise and continue to one-half hour after sunset."
The daily bag limit is 20 light geese with no possession limit. All state refuges will be open to hunting, except Wall Lake State Game Bird Refuge in Hand County, Silver Lake Waterfowl Refuge in Hutchinson County and Oahe Dam, Big Bend Dam and Fort Randall Dam State Waterfowl Refuges on the Missouri River. "Some of the refuges being opened do include privately-owned land, which means that hunters will need permission to hunt that land," Vaa noted.
Resident licensing requirements include either a combination or small game license, plus a state migratory bird stamp. Nonresidents need a nonresident snow goose license, which will be available from license agents around the state. Hunters can also purchase a license online by visiting the department’s website at [url "http://www.state.sd.us/gfp/"][font "Arial"][#800080]www.state.sd.us/gfp/[/#800080][/font][/url][font "Arial"]. From there, look under the subheading "Popular Shortcuts" for the link titled "Buy General Hunting/Fishing Licenses Online."
The federal waterfowl stamp is not required, since this is a conservation order and not a regular waterfowl season[/font]
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"Hunters will be able to harvest snow geese, blue geese and Ross’ geese with the same requirements and restrictions as during regular state waterfowl seasons, except that electronic calls and shotguns capable of holding more than three shells are allowed during this event," said Game, Fish and Parks Waterfowl Biologist Spencer Vaa of Brookings. "In addition, hunters have an extra one-half hour for hunting in the evening, as shooting hours begin one-half hour before sunrise and continue to one-half hour after sunset."
The daily bag limit is 20 light geese with no possession limit. All state refuges will be open to hunting, except Wall Lake State Game Bird Refuge in Hand County, Silver Lake Waterfowl Refuge in Hutchinson County and Oahe Dam, Big Bend Dam and Fort Randall Dam State Waterfowl Refuges on the Missouri River. "Some of the refuges being opened do include privately-owned land, which means that hunters will need permission to hunt that land," Vaa noted.
Resident licensing requirements include either a combination or small game license, plus a state migratory bird stamp. Nonresidents need a nonresident snow goose license, which will be available from license agents around the state. Hunters can also purchase a license online by visiting the department’s website at [url "http://www.state.sd.us/gfp/"][font "Arial"][#800080]www.state.sd.us/gfp/[/#800080][/font][/url][font "Arial"]. From there, look under the subheading "Popular Shortcuts" for the link titled "Buy General Hunting/Fishing Licenses Online."
The federal waterfowl stamp is not required, since this is a conservation order and not a regular waterfowl season[/font]
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