Whether you’re a waterfowl hunter or not, you’re likely familiar with giant Canada goose. These oversized geese today are found in just about every state but historically resided in central North America and the surrounding Great Lakes region–think Mississippi and Central flyway–typically not far from urban areas. Just take a look at parks and local ponds. Chances are you’ll run into flocks of these giant honkers. In recent years, the population of giant Canada geese has exploded, and these birds account for a majority of goose harvest annually. Yet, not long ago, the giant Canada goose was thought to be extinct. With a little luck and coordinated conservation efforts, these giants are here to stay, but how did this happen?
Extinction:
Canada geese consist of seven subspecies, with the giant Canada goose (Branta canadensis) being the largest. Historically, found throughout the Missouri River Valley, these birds could weigh up to 20 pounds, which is a true giant amongst waterfowl standards. Like many waterfowl, the turn of the 20th century was detrimental to their numbers. A combination of factors led to the decline of the giant Canada goose population, including market hunting, habitat degradation, and egg collection. The result was a complete population collapse, with the giant subspecies becoming a rarity by the 1930s. By 1950, it seemed these once-abundant geese were all but gone. Shortly after, scientists declared the giant Canada goose extinct.
Rediscovery and Recovery:
While waterfowl numbers plummeted, a little town in Minnesota, Rochester, became their last sanctuary. Unbeknownst to biologists, Dr. Charles Mayo had purchased a small flock of geese for his property in the 1920s in North Dakota to bring to his estate in Rochester. Luckily for waterfowlers, North Dakota was home to the giant Canada goose, and the secret population was established. Soon after, Mayo’s flock attracted wild birds, and the flock quickly began to grow.
In a perfect storm of events, the city of Rochester created the nearby Siver Lake in the 1930s. The lake was created as a byproduct of damming the Zumbro River to construct a power plant. The resulting power plant fed the lake with warm water discharges, keeping the lake open year-round. The flock of giant Canada geese quickly realized this and wintered on Silver Lake rather than migrating away. As a result, this secret population stayed put and began to thrive without notice from biologists.
In the 1960s, after being declared extinct, a waterfowl biologist, Dr. Harold Hanson, would rediscover the giant subspecies. After taking annual trips to Rochester, Hanson observed these larger-than-average geese. In 1962, with the help of the Minnesota Department of Conservation, Hanson weighed and banded some of the Silver Lake flock. After confirming the size of these geese, he officially declared that giant Canada geese were not extinct.
Recovery efforts quickly began, hatching eggs in captivity and transplanting them to areas where giants once resided. In addition to planting hatchlings, biologists monitored known flocks and would wait until they began molting. Being unable to fly, birds were easy to capture and transplant to new locations. The Silver Lake flock had adapted to live in urban areas, and so had their transplants. In a matter of a few decades, the giant Canada goose population exploded. Now, these birds are found in every flyway and account for a majority of goose harvests annually.
Current Standing:
The reintroduction of the giant Canada goose is one of the great conservation success stories of the 20th century. In combination with redistribution efforts, this can be attributed to a number of behavioral characteristics. Giant Canada geese are adaptable to urban environments, favor temperate habitats, and reproduce younger and more often than other geese subspecies. While this was critical for their success, it has also created a number of issues today.
Non-migratory giant populations can be a sight for sore eyes, often accounting for most “resident geese” and accompanying goose poop. Government agencies often manage or cull flocks to sustainably control these populations, especially in urban environments. In addition, many states have an early goose season with higher bag limits to target giant Canada geese. Being temperate birds, the early seasons are set to knock back exploding populations without targeting other subspecies that migrate later in the season.
Continued Conservation:
For giant Canada geese, conservation efforts and a little bit of luck brought them back from extinction. Today, their numbers are abundant, and hunting opportunities are plentiful. Yet, habitat degradation and other environmental factors have plagued waterfowl throughout the course of American history. Still today, waterfowl populations are experiencing hardship as fewer habitats are available each year. As hunters it is our duty to do everything to maintain and protect sustainable waterfowl populations. Supporting conservation organizations like Ducks Unlimited are critical to future conservation success stories.