Migratory Bird Permits; Regulations for Managing Resident Canada Goose Populations

In 2005, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service or "we") published a final environmental impact statement on management of resident Canada geese (Branta canadensis) that documented resident Canada goose population levels "that are increasingly coming into conflict with people and causing personal and public property damage." Subsequently, the Service implemented several actions intended to reduce, manage, and control resident Canada goose populations in the continental United States and to reduce related damages; those actions included depredation and control orders that allow destruction of Canada goose nests and eggs by authorized personnel between March 1 and June 30. However, some resident Canada geese currently initiate nests in February, particularly in the southern United States, and it seems likely that in the future nest initiation dates will begin earlier and hatching of eggs will perhaps end later than dates currently experienced. This final rule amends the depredation and control orders to allow destruction of resident Canada goose nests and eggs at any time of year.