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Post by chezz on Mar 17, 2010 17:27:01 GMT -5
www.cws-scf.ec.gc.ca/publications/status/dec09/p5_e.cfm#_Toc251919012Newfoundland and Labrador No regulatory changes are proposed for the 2010–2011 season. However, the CWS is currently considering two amendments which may be proposed in 2011–2012: Hunting zones The first modification being considered is to split the Northern Coastal Zone at Cape Bauld to create a new coastal zone along the northwestern tip of the Northern Peninsula. The sea duck hunting season would be shifted to open and close earlier within this newly created zone. Murre hunting The second modification being considered would allow better access to murre hunting within the Green Bay area of Murre Hunting Zone 2. Hunters see few murres during the current murre hunting season, and have requested an adjustment in the Zone 2 season dates to allow access to murres which occur there later in January and early February. The suggestion under consideration is to delay the opening and closing dates of the murre hunting season within the murre Hunting Zone 2 by about two weeks. To evaluate the two regulatory suggestions the CWS will undertake a special hunter opinion survey during the winter of 2009–2010, and if necessary will hold public meetings to discuss hunters’ concerns. Migratory bird hunters in Newfoundland and Labrador are encouraged to participate in the survey and to contact the CWS office with any comments or concerns regarding these proposals. Prince Edward Island No regulatory changes are proposed for the 2010–2011 season. Nova Scotia Canada Geese It is proposed that an early September Canada Goose season be opened in Nova Scotia (all zones). This amendment will help to reduce nuisance and crop depredation problems associated with Canada Geese from introduced flocks. Similar seasons are currently in place in other provinces in Canada (including New Brunswick) and have been considered at least partially effective in controlling population growth for temperate-breeding Canada Geese. Spring surveys conducted annually to estimate numbers of waterfowl breeding in the Maritime provinces have identified a 10-fold increase in the abundance of breeding Canada Geese over the past 15 years. Seasons would occur before most migrant geese arrive in Nova Scotia and as such would increase harvest pressure on locally breeding geese only. In order to prevent disturbance to other waterfowl, hunting during the September Canada Goose season would be restricted to farmland only. A bag and possession limit of 8 and 16 birds respectively (during the early September Canada Goose season only) is proposed. In 2010, it is proposed that the early September Canada Goose season in Nova Scotia would open on the Tuesday following Labour Day and continue for 11 consecutive days (inclusive of opening day). Streamlining regulations It is proposed to simplify the Migratory Game Birds Hunting Regulations in Nova Scotia. To this end a review of species clusters, season dates and zones was undertaken. As a result of this review, we are proposing to amalgamate the existing “additional seasons” into one, with consistent season dates by zone. At the same time, the additional seasons currently in place for scaup would be revoked. The result of this change would see additional seasons in zone 2 for Common and Red-breasted mergansers, Long-tailed ducks, eiders, scoters, goldeneyes and Bufflehead that would begin on 1 October 2010, ending on 7 October 2010; beginning again on 1 January 2011, ending on 7 January 2011. In zone 3, additional seasons for Common and Red-breasted mergansers, Long-tailed ducks, eiders, scoters, goldeneyes and Bufflehead that would begin on 1 January 2011 and end on 7 January 2011. In order to provide adequate protection to scoters, the bag and possession limits for scoters would be reduced to four birds in the daily bag, and eight birds in possession, as is currently the situation in adjacent Maritime provinces. There would continue to be no additional seasons for ducks in zone 1. New Brunswick No regulatory changes are proposed for the 2010–2011 season. Special conservation measures for Snow Geese A notice of intent is given that special conservation measures to permit the take of Snow Geese by hunters in spring is proposed for north-western New Brunswick, beginning in March 2012. These special measures have been in effect in Quebec since 1999. In New Brunswick, the special measures are anticipated to be limited to Restigouche Co. (in whole, or in part), where surveys have shown increasing use of tidal habitats by Greater Snow Geese during spring. Expanding the special conservation measures into north-western New Brunswick would provide additional opportunity to manage this overabundant species through hunting.
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redd
Member
A man's got to belive in something...I belive I'll go hunting!
Posts: 97
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Post by redd on Mar 17, 2010 18:02:36 GMT -5
So I gotta' book Vacation soon.Any idea where the NS early season for geese would take place ( like the whole province,only Turo.only the valley etc.) and when we would know if it was passed?Boy I can see alot of compition for feilds if opened in only a small area!Could be real interesting!And not in a good way...
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Post by jakeshandler on Mar 18, 2010 7:36:00 GMT -5
Looks like all of Nova Scotia according to what was posted above. Nice to have a little extra crack at them!
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redd
Member
A man's got to belive in something...I belive I'll go hunting!
Posts: 97
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Post by redd on Mar 18, 2010 17:09:49 GMT -5
I dunno,I don't think that We've got enough geese to be a real problem in my end of the valley,and they'd just get over hunted early.Was real late last year before we had any migrants,and there was a shortage of fields to hunt around here with the weather until,like,November.Don't know how thick they are around Amherst,Turo and the like,but would rather not start any earlier around here myself.then you have the south shore,where you don't see any geese start showing up until mid September if you're lucky.
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Post by shermie on Mar 19, 2010 6:01:50 GMT -5
holy crap ,i dont agree with the changes at all....early season on farmland only hhhhmmmmm me thinks there is some thing going on here boys,,,,by no means are there the ravaging hordes of geese here in truro ,,,,,there just about half what there used to be.....
me thinks maybe the dollar the all mitey dollar may be influencing this dissision....the only folks who can hunt farmland around here are the out fitters as it is almost all leased or will be by the time this hits the presses....
why not hunt them on the water well this interfears with the field hunters is why....i got yelled at over in pei before.....from outfitters in a field,,,we had a great day they did not....
i sent in the same response to the headquarters and it made no differance i see.
it always amazes how the squeeking wheels get greased.....
so all you bunch of freelancers expecting to hunt early in truro forget it..... you wont be able to afford the prices or the line ups.... for the 1000 geese here ....lol
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newguy
Master Waterfowler
Posts: 936
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Post by newguy on Mar 19, 2010 7:18:12 GMT -5
Changes are never going to make all people happy. I do not hunt geese in NS unless it is a stray flock that happens to go where I am. The local farmers are not very easy to get permission from ( I ask every year and am very polite when I ask)they are starting to realize the flocks are getting bigger, and they are loosing money as a result of increased crop eating by the flock so I keep asking. Generally early seasons are directed to wards resident flocks that damage farmers crops, so the early seasons are generally directed to Agricultural lands That is just the way it is, it is hard enough work getting any new seasons made into regulations if the Ag land clause is what it takes to get an early season then alright by me once we have the season in place we can then get the season rules adjusted in the future (first we need to get the early season). There is lots of land out there, the outfitters can't control all of it and with them hunting their regular spots the birds may push out to other areas were we can get an opportunity to get some shooting in as well. Just my opinion for what it is worth!!
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Post by skyrat on Mar 19, 2010 22:29:49 GMT -5
After hunting the Prairies and witnessing thousands of ducks/geese enter standing crops and within the day destroying partial fields I would have to say that NS is not anywhere close to what I would consider nuisance levels. Last summer/fall I traveled back and forth between Halifax and Fredericton on a weekly basis and unless my Lasik has gone astray I just don’t see the numbers. Remember the amendment is not for the hunter’s benefit (directly) but intended to minimize crop insurance claims, that’s if the farmer can afford the insurance. In Western areas the government hires local farmers to plant lure crops in trouble areas..kind of a win-win situation. Good for the birds and some coin for the local farmer…
I just don’t think we have the numbers..Funny thing is that PEI, which has tons more cropland combined with native and early migrant geese, has not requested such. I would sooner have the “Live” decoys around when the whole area (field/wetlands) is hunt able.
Cheers
Skyrat
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Post by shermie on Mar 22, 2010 5:56:10 GMT -5
well this is what i think may happen now we have these rules,, the outfitters and guides who pay said farmer to hunt there fields will ask to have early harvest crops ex.grain,remember last year it was corn around here and it wasnt taken off until nov... so the only fields with crops off may be the ones that are palnted for early harvest at the request of the outfitter /guides..or otheres who pay to play/ so geuss where the birds are first???it happened last year here with grain fields that were not huntable the birds stayed until there food was gone....then moved on,,most the of corn wasnt harvested till late. another thing i was told from a fella over in PEI that the farmers make more money off hunting in the fall then what the crop is worth so they plant to make the hunters happy...cant blame them can ya with the economy the way it is ,,,so i think this may be the norm soon... so with this early season here it may happen where they start planting to attract and reap the benifits and most if not all farms will require a lease arangement. I heard stories where hunters buy the seed and have even bought equipment to help the "farmer "out so as to help bring in the birds... so where does this leave the lonely joe and his kid to hunt who cant afford $$$$ to pay to hunt on agricultural land ?im not sure id say the edge of the fields and dykes shooting at birds on the way into set ups who have paid to hunt i geuss... it may turn into the haves and the haves not .time will tell..... i try not to be the dark cloud and im sorry for raining down on what was probably alot of hard work for alot of people who thought they may have been doing a good thing...but be fair dont limit it to fields only...the excuse of harming other waterfowl is bogus there are just as many other waterfowl visiting the fields as are on the water...except for maybe the seaduck or two... the primary reason here in truro and in the kentville area for crop damage is the crow population they pick the seedlings just as they come up there chicks are born the same time the seeds sprout..the farmer i work with to chase the crows away said and i quote when iasked if the crows are back "no, no where near as much trouble come if you want there are not that many around tho "we got one... in the past he would have lost an acre or more to crows...not geese... it was this farmer who tld me about them picking the sprouts which led to me hunting the crows there along with a few other groups..our pressure on them made them move away and that is what we were shooting for in the end... crow season is closed when the crops start to grow ,and the damage goes unchecked until we can hunt them in sept..the season should be year round like it used to be.... well enough for now blah blah....some thought to think of i geuss..
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newguy
Master Waterfowler
Posts: 936
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Post by newguy on Mar 22, 2010 6:56:09 GMT -5
PEI hasn't requested an early season yet, but it is in the works you just have not heard anything about it yet(trust me they will be asking)
The early season was asked for by the farmers as a means of trying to get a jump on the growing problem before it gets to the point where it is a lost cause for them(no doubt they had the idea put in their head by the outfitters and hunters) As for crows being the major cause of damage for all N.S.Farms, I for one am not convinced. The farm you hunt may see a lot of crow damage. However where my parents live the geese will line themselves up on a row of fresh seedlings and waddle their way along the rows eating the entire length of the row like a line of soldiers. we see crows as well, just not to the same levels as Truro and Kentville have. In those areas they have a over abundance of crows so the crop damage will be higher from crows naturally, if they had an over abundance of Pheasants then it would be pheasants causing the problem. Whatever the cause may be from one area to the other an early season is still a good thing. I for one applaud the effort to give more Hunting opportunities to us all.
It sure beats taking away hunting Areas, like around Truro for example, perhaps if the guys hunting around Truro had focused their efforts to avoid confrontations and trying everything possible not to piss off the local residents they would not have lost the hunt-able areas they have now lost.
Hunters (be they slobs)were the catalyst that got those areas closed not the Anti Hunters---- that should be an eye opener for us all, if we as a group can't share with each other then the opposition will utilize the opportunity to remove more areas from our possible use.
NEXT FIGHT ----SUNDAY HUNTING ---!!!!
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Post by shermie on Mar 22, 2010 9:44:09 GMT -5
your right about pissin off the locals ,,and having the fields closed, in the 3 stories that have been passed around over the years the stories change everytime you here it from some one, but basicaly it boils down to of the 3 biggest tale s they were out of towners,the worst was the windmilling of shot geese to kill them and to kick half dead birds all the way back to the blind..this closed Mr Hills farm to hunting ....another was some woman said she was shot at while walking her dog ,,hunt was ended by hunters bieng asked to stop hunting and leave...even tho it was all legal...and another was of a first come first serve fight with 2 groups hunting the same field....yup we are our own worst enemy by far at times..
hey i have no problem with more hunting oppertunities bud ,i just do not see the numbers of birds everyone is saying are here in truro to justify the early hunt...
im all for an early hunt for anything as long as there is science behind the justification and that our flocks will not suffer from the early season so that there will be none to hunt in the very near future...
alot of the geese that are local birds raft up on the open water [gravel pits here in truro] and over in tata bay as well....
no permission is required for water is my beef if we are having the season ,,,,early ......
as for sunday hunting no way thats the lords day for rest didnt you know.....
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Post by dans on Mar 22, 2010 13:30:14 GMT -5
all very true shermie my friend an I respect your idea of sunday ebing a day of rest but that is all well an good good but we can buy beer on sunday we can grocery shop on sunday. why not have the day of rest for the critters on wed . Religion is not a good enough answer anymore as to many people still have to work on sunday not by choose but by necesity . An as my father once said to me about sunday being a day of rest , an I couldn't practice soccer or play . My answer was well dad you have the day of rest your way , an I will have it mine. If people feel that sunday is the day of rest an they don't want to hunt so be it. But I gotta tell ya after 9 months of putting up with shit an bs at work my hunting season is my day of rest an I don't know about you but when I am out hunting I am at piece. just my 2 cents
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newguy
Master Waterfowler
Posts: 936
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Post by newguy on Mar 22, 2010 16:38:15 GMT -5
I agree with ya about the numbers around Truro not being able to support the whole provinces hunters but if we get the season then maybe we can work with the province and adapt the allowable areas to get water or gravel pit hunting ----after all the birds are still the local birds doing the crop eating It all takes time cause the Government doesn't do anything fast---except spend money the wrong way they are quick to do that
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Post by huntingike on Mar 22, 2010 18:16:58 GMT -5
I just don’t think we have the numbers..Funny thing is that PEI, which has tons more cropland combined with native and early migrant geese, has not requested such. I would sooner have the “Live” decoys around when the whole area (field/wetlands) is hunt able.
Cheers
Skyrat [/quote]
I can answer why pei hasn't asked , we don't have enough geese . in my area , malpeque-summerside , last summer i knew of one clutch of geese . counting the parents , there were six geese ! there are some pockets in cavendish and a few in eastern pei but we simply don't have any geese here in the summer . i see tons of geese when i go fishing outside fredericton in june and love to hear them once again . as for sunday hunting , i am on the yes side BUT i feel another day should be set aside . my way of thinking is sunday is meant to be a family day . why not spend with your family [ son , daughter, newphew , neice , whatever you know where i am going ] in the blind , field woods etc . Yes , one day should be given to rest the birds be it a tuesday , wednesday whatever . with so many directions to go on saturday [ hockey , soccer , band , etc. ] i feel guys and gals would like the extra weekend day to get out hunting . for me , it is all about access , make hunting [ you can fish on sunday ] as accessable as possible . maybe allow sunday hunting and close goose hunting at 1:00 as a compromise ? anyway guys don't want to step on toes or stir things , just my $.02. i am glad to see a polite discussion regarding this topic , often i have seen this topic turn ugly . well done
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newguy
Master Waterfowler
Posts: 936
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Post by newguy on Mar 23, 2010 6:30:55 GMT -5
i am glad to see a polite discussion regarding this topic , often i have seen this topic turn ugly . well done I agree it could have been a very heated discussion I have noticed on here we are all passionate about what we do but we are smart enough to be civil and discuss, not bitch and gripe at each other or take cheap shots to get everyone pissed at each other. That is what keeps most of us on this site and away from some of the other sites.
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Post by jakeshandler on Mar 23, 2010 6:56:36 GMT -5
According to the release, the early opening is for the whole province. If the truro fields are all taken by hunters, why not look elsewhere? Who are these outfitters that are mentioned in this thread? I've never heard of anyone outfitting for geese in truro?
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