GooseFest - Goose Numbers

20th Annual GooseFest
October 18-25, 2008

By Caroline Downs
The Kenmare News, 10/25/06

The snow geese are cooperating for Kenmare’s 18th Annual GooseFest.

According to Dan Severson, refuge manager at the Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge, an estimated 60,000 of the prized waterfowl have arrived at the Des Lacs Lakes during their migration to Texas. "We had birds move in over the weekend," he said, "and it should increase all week."

That’s good news for the hunters who have descended on Kenmare and the surrounding area. "We’ve got plenty of birds to hunt," Severson said. "The 2-Person [Fun] Shoot showed that."

Hunters will also be happy to hear the snow goose hatch was noted as extremely successful last spring, with lots of inexperienced geese in the flight this fall. "That’s always a key to hunting snow geese," Severson said. "With decoys, that makes a difference."

Mild daytime temperatures and exposed fields with feed for waterfowl have provided prime conditions for the snows, as well as other birds. According to Severson, about 5,000 Canada geese are resting on the refuge, along with 20,000 mallard ducks.

"We still have lesser Canadas here," he said, "and most of them go to the Audubon National Wildlife Refuge. All the gadwalls and shovelers have moved out, but we still have pintails, canvasbacks and buffleheads."

Hunters and Kenmare residents will also see, and hear, tundra swans by the hundreds. Severson estimated between 700 and 800 of the large white birds were staging on the refuge, including some cygnets. "We do have an unusual number of swans," he said. "It’s the most I’ve ever seen here."

The thermometer dipped to 12 degrees early Monday morning, which finished freezing most small sloughs and wetlands, but Severson predicted the refuge lakes would stay open, especially with the forecast calling for highs in the 40s and low 50s. "The upper lake isn’t frozen that hard," he said, "and the snow geese are still mostly north of Highway 52."

And if anyone has doubts the migration has truly started, Severson pointed to the arrival of bald eagles in the area. "I saw two Monday," he said. "They always follow the snow geese down!"