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believed to be a result of the conservation order, as harvest rates remain low and adult survival
is high. Preliminary research suggests multiple factors are contributing to low production and
recruitment such as an earlier snow melt resulting in nutritional imbalances among goslings.
Several factors contribute to the higher effectiveness of the conservation order on greater snow
geese than midcontinent light geese.
• In 1999, the population estimates of light geese were around 5-10 million birds. More
recent estimates using refined statistical analysis indicate it may have been at least double
that. Thus, the effort needed to reduce the population was underestimated.
• Light geese in the midcontinent appeared to be more flexible in their use of breeding,
migration, and wintering areas than greater snows, which are comparably more static.
• Recent research shows a significant portion of light geese harvested in the conservation
order may be the "wrong" birds. Evidence indicates decoyed birds, which comprise more
than 70% of geese harvested in Nebraska, are in poorer body condition than those jump- or
pass-shot. Essentially, the conservation order is not removing enough fit adult females,
which needs to occur if the population is to be reduced.
The conservation order should continue in Nebraska until habitat and population objectives are
met, whether that is through increased harvest or by the continuance of limiting environmental
factors.
NONTOXIC SHOT FOR WATERFOWL
Nontoxic shot is required for all shotgun hunting on waterfowl production areas, national wildlife
refuges, some state wildlife management areas, as posted, and other lands as listed in the
Public Access Atlas. It is unlawful to use or possess shotgun shells loaded with or containing
shot other than nontoxic shot while hunting, taking or attempting to take waterfowl.
WATERFOWL BLINDS
All blinds must be removed daily from Nebraska Game and Parks Commission state recreation
areas and wildlife management areas, except that seasonal blinds may be built on the WMA
portions of Calamus, Elwood, Enders (the nonrefuge portion), Lake McConaughy, Medicine Creek,
Merritt, Red Willow, Sherman and Swanson. Such blinds must be removed at the end of the
waterfowl season. Use of these blinds is on a first-come, first-served basis.
LEG BANDS
Report U.S. Geological Survey leg bands recovered from migratory game birds at ReportBand.gov.
WATERFOWL REZONING UPDATE
Once every five years, waterfowl zone boundaries are reassessed and updated based on new
federal criteria and with the help of public input. The process is ongoing as of this printing, as
the updated boundaries will go into effect for the 2026-27 waterfowl hunting seasons. To see
more on the process, including a timeline, visit OutdoorNebraska.gov/conservation/wildlife-
management/wildlife-surveys/waterfowl-rezoning-process/.
