Goose Count
Kenmare GooseFest October 16-23, 2010
Duck and goose count appears
to be ahead of last year
Birds are not concentrated
Published 10/21/09 in The Kenmare News
Warmer temperatures over the weekend melted portions of the Des Lacs lakes that froze during a cold snap earlier this month, opening up plenty of water for migrating
And the birds seem to be taking advantage of it, according to Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge manager Dave Bolin. “It seems to me we actually have more birds this year than last year at this time,” he said.
Refuge staff estimated 25,000 to 30,000 snow geese on the refuge, 10,000 to 15,000 lesser
“Hunters are also reporting quite a few white-fronted geese in the area, and a few hundred swans are still hanging around,” said Bolin.
The fact that the water has opened up again could pose a problem for hunters. “The snow geese are spread from the lower to the north end of the refuge,” Bolin said. “The birds are not as concentrated.”
Tom Pabian, manager at Upper Souris National Wildlife Refuge, said bird numbers there are running low.
“I would consider our numbers down considerably from our long-term average,” he said. “At the lower end of the refuge, there’s less than 10,000 snow geese, and the upper end is probably equivalent. There’s just a handful of ducks. The birds we had earlier left in that 60 mph wind we had last week.”
He believed Canada goose numbers are increasing. “A lot of little
He noted that a whooping crane had been sighted in the area, with a report coming Monday from an observer near Makoti.
He also emphasized that hunters should pay close attention to the weather. “This time of year, 24 hours can mean a big difference,” he said. “If people are looking for birds, it pays to put some miles on and get out and do some scouting.”
Bolin said the forecast for the next few days, with highs projected in the 40s to mid-50s, should keep the water open at Des Lacs NWR. “The birds will keep trickling down,” he said. “It doesn’t look like any really cold weather is coming in, and from what I hear, most of the snow geese are still in
Bolin and Pabian will provide updated information about local waterfowl counts for next week’s issue of The Kenmare News.
Looking ahead
to deer hunting
On another hunting note, Bolin reminded deer hunters to pay close attention to regulations regarding the use of tree stands and screw-in steps on national wildlife refuges.
“It’s in the
More information about the legal use of tree stands on the refuges can found on the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website at gf.nd.gov/regulations/deer/index.
