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The Citizen, 1994-08-31, Page 13THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31, 1994. PAGE 13. Env. Can., MNR work to protect Canada geese Environment Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources have again implemented hunting restrictions to protect Southern James Bay Population Canada geese. Similarly, measures have been taken to protect Atlantic Population Canada geese in Ontario for the first time. These steps will help conserve stocks of migrant geese and ensure that goose hunting is not closed entirely anywhere in the province while permitting hunting for the abundant Giant Canada geese to continue in southern Ontario. Measures to increase the popula­ tion of Southern James Bay geese were first introduced in 1991, as a result of poor breeding success in 1990 and 1991. Although the population is showing improve­ ment, it will take several years before enough young birds come to breeding age. The Atlantic Population Canada geese have also seen significant declines. The estimate for 1993 was 350,000 birds, compared with more than 800,000 in the early 1980s. States on the American migration route have taken measures to increase the numbers of Atlantic Population Canada geese since 1991. This year Ontario and Quebec are following suit to ensure a recovery of these birds. This year there will be new opportunities to hunt the abundant population of Giant Canada geese in Southwestern Ontario. The large numbers of Giant Canada geese can damage crops and foul recreation areas. These new opportunities will come at times outside the migration period for the Southern James Bay and Atlantic Populations. The changes involve the three populations of Canada geese in Ontario: the Southern James Bay, Giant and Atlantic Population Canada geese. Since it is difficult to differentiate between Canada geese, the measures to restrict hunting outlined below will apply to all Canada geese. A regulation under the Migratory Birds Convention Act enacts these hunting changes. The protection measures for Southern James Bay Canada geese this year are similar to those implemented last year to reduce the harvest of these geese by 50 per cent from 1990 levels. Similar actions to reduce harvests have been taken in the United States where these geese migrate and spend the winter. In northern Ontario, the daily bag limit is two and the possession limit is four (the same as last year) in that portion of Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) ID in Hudson - James Bay District, and in WMUs 23 to 32 and 37 to 41. These WMUs in northern Ontario are where Southern James Bay Canada geese breed and migrate through on their way south. In southwestern Ontario, the opening day for the regular goose hunting season in some WMUs is delayed until Oct. 15, similar to last year. These WMUs arc 82 to 86 and 93. In WMU 94 in the Chatham area, the opening date will be Oct. 31. The daily bag limit in this WMU remains at one bird and the possession limit remains al two birds. WMU 94 has had the largest harvest of Southern James Bay Canada geese in the past and has relatively few resident Giant Canada geese. On Pclec Island, WMU 95, where few geese arc taken, the hunting season will extend from Sept. 24 to Dec. 20. The daily bag limit will be five geese and the possession limit 10 geese. The opening day of the regular season for WMUs 80 and 87 around Kitchener and WMUs 90 to 92 from Simcoe west to London will be Sept. 24. This will provide more hunting opportunities in these areas, which have high numbers of resident Giant Canada geese. A new early season, from Sept. 1 to 10, has been added for WMUs 76, 77, 81 to 84, and 90 to 92 in southwestern Ontario. This will provide additional opportunities to harvest abundant, resident Giant Canada Geese. The new early season covers much of south­ western Ontario and will occur at a time when few migrant Southern James Bay geese are present. An early season will also occur in the Sault Ste. Marie, Wingham and BE ON THE LOOK OUT School's back in session and in the excitement of the new school year, many school-age children, especially the young ones, may forget to look both ways when crossing the street or exiting the school bus. That leaves it up to you as a driver, to be extra careful around schoolyards, neigh­ bourhood play areas, and departing school buses. So rem emb er...when you see yellow, be sure to see red - as in red alert. Let's all slow down and give our children the chance they deserve. CODE OF CONDUCT FOR STUDENTS 1. Arrive at your pick-up point on time. Bus scheduling is such that the drivers cannot wait for pupils who are late. 2. Take you seat promptly and remain seated until you arrive at your destination, unless otherwise directed by your driver. 7. 3. Hold books and lunch boxes on your lap or on the floor at your feet, never in the aisle where they may trip someone. 4. Skates, when carried on a school bus, must have skate guards or protective material in place. 5. Keep your arms and head inside the vehicle at all times. 6. Never interfere with emergency doors/exits or any part of the vehicle equipment. WHEELER BUS LINES Wingham 357-1270 GORDON T. MONTGOMERY LTD. Lucknow 528-2813 Unnecessary disturbances (opening of windows, wrestling, eating, smoking, obscene language or any other form of misbehaviour) will not be tolerated at any time. 8. Obey directions and instructions of the driver and/or bus patrol promptly. 9. Refrain from talking to the driver while the bus is in motion, except in case of an emergency. 10. Never leave the bus at any stop other than that predetermined by school or parental permission. 11. Riding a school bus is a privilege! This privilege can be withdrawn. HULLETT BUS LINES LTD. Clinton 482-3747 WINTHROP BUS LINES Winthrop 527-1247 Cornwall areas, from Sept. 1 to 10. A late hunting season, from Jan. 14 to 21, is again in place in WMUs 60A, 64, 68, 69A, 70 to 75, 78, 79, 80, 82, 83, 84 and 87 to 93, where resident Giant Canada geese may be found in winter. Few migrant geese are present in these WMUs at this time. In WMUs 90, 91 and 92 from Simcoe west to the London area the season will be from Sept. 24 to Dec. 21. In WMUs 76, 77 and 81 in the Barrie area, the season will be from Sept. 24 to Dec. 29. Reductions in regular season length for these WMUs are necessary because they have either an early September season or a January season or both, in addition to the regular season. The number of hunting days each year is controlled by the Migratory Birds Convention. Seaboard states in the U.S. that are along the Atlantic flyway, implemented measures to reduce their harvest of Atlantic Population Canada geese by more than 50 per cent beginning in 1992. Ontario is now following suit and has implemented measures to limit hunting in two Wildlife Manage­ ment Units (WMUs) in south­ eastern Ontario - WMU 65 in the Cornwall area and 69A in the eastern Bay of Quinte, Kingstcn and Wolfe Island areas. The goose hunting season will be closed in WMUs 65 and 69A from Oct. 9 to 31 to reduce the harvest by 50 per cent. This is the peak period for migration through southeastern Ontario. In addition during the regular season the bag limit is five and the possession limit is six Canada geese for these WMUs. Atlantic Population Canada geese breed in northern Quebec, Labrador and Newfoundland. Quebec also implemented changes to reduce its harvest this year. Environment Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources are continuing to investigate the define in the population of Southern James Bay Canada geese. Hunting restrictions will likely be in effect for several Continued on page 14