Ep. 623 - 2024 Goose Production Gives Reasons for Optimism

DUCKS UNLIMITED NATION TRIP AUCTION!Despite recent declines in some goose populations, fresh data suggest that hunters have reasons to be optimistic about the number of young birds flying south this fall. Dr. Mike Brasher is joined by goose experts Josh Dooley (US Fish and Wildlife Service) and Frank Baldwin (Canadian Wildlife Service) to discuss indices for arctic and subarctic goose populations from Alaska to Atlantic Canada. Many areas experienced early spring and good to excellent conditions for nesting, with multiple indicators suggesting better production than what was experienced a few years in the past. New data and hunter reports from the prairies support these conclusions, so good luck to goose hunters as you head afield.Listen now: www.ducks.org/DUPodcastSend feedback: [email protected] (01:06) - - Introduction and Guest Introductions (03:39) - - Josh Dooley's Role and Responsibilities (04:38) - - Focus on Goose Productivity for 2024 (05:52) - - Western Goose Populations Overview (06:52) - - Defining Spring Phenology (08:00) - - Diverse Goose Species in North America (08:36) - - Data Sets for Assessing Goose Productivity (11:38) - - Resources for Goose Population Information (14:51) - - Management Plans and Their Importance (15:35) - - Transition to Alaska Goose Production (16:34) - - Alaska Goose Production Overview (20:36) - - Black Brant Nesting Success and Challenges (22:13) - - Additional Goose Populations in the Pacific Flyway (23:40) - - General Decline in Goose Population Indices (26:54) - - Transition to Mid-Continent Goose Production (27:38) - - Productivity Survey Genesis and Importance (31:09) - - Spring Conditions and Expectations for Production (33:45) - - Preliminary Productivity Survey Results (36:24) - - Mid-Continent Snow Goose Production (38:57) - - Ross's Goose Productivity Overview (40:13) - - Western Arctic Goose Production Insights (41:12) - - Delayed Breeding and Population Dynamics (42:47) - - Atlantic Canada Goose Populations Overview (45:33) - - Greater Snow Goose Productivity Insights (46:09) - - Harvest Age Ratios and Their Significance (47:48) - - Cackling Goose Production Overview (48:52) - - Temperate Nesting Canada Geese Productivity (49:35) - - Local Productivity and Migrant Vulnerability DUCKS UNLIMITED NATION TRIP AUCTION!