Population status

Lesser Snow Goose
(Anser caerulescens caerulescens)

Lesser Snow Goose populations have increased dramatically since the 1970s. The Mid-continent Lesser Snow Goose population was designated as "overabundant" in 1999 and has since been subject to special measures to control the population's abundance. In 2014, the Western Arctic Population was also designated as "overabundant" in Canada. The size of the Mid-continent Lesser Snow Goose population was estimated using banding and harvest data; it averaged approximately 2.3 million adults during the 1970s and approximately 12.5 million from 2012-2016. Its population growth has slowed since 2000 and may have stabilized in recent years. The Wrangel Island population is considered to be data deficient. Detailed information on the population status of waterfowl species is available in the Population Status of Migratory Game Birds in Canada report (summary version). To obtain a copy of the full version of this report, including tables and graphs, please contact ec.scf-oismiggibiers-cws-miggamebirds.ec@canada.ca.

Population goal and acceptable levels of variation

Karrak Lake Survey

References

• Alisauskas, R.T., R.F. Rockwell, K.W. Dufour, E.G. Cooch, G. Zimmerman, K.L. Drake, J.O. Leafloor, T.J. Moser and E.T. Reed. 2011. Harvest, survival, and abundance of mid-continent Lesser Snow Geese relative to population reduction efforts. Wildlife Monographs 179: 1–42. Alisauskas, R.T., R.F. Rockwell, K.W. Dufour, E.G. Cooch, G. Zimmerman, K.L. Drake, J.O. Leafloor, T.J. Moser and E.T. Reed. 2011. Harvest, survival, and abundance of mid-continent Lesser Snow Geese relative to population reduction efforts. Wildlife Monographs 179: 1–42. (Link)
• Ankney, C.D. 1996. An embarrassment of riches: too many geese. Journal of Wildlife Management 60(2): 217–223.
• Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) Waterfowl Committee. 2017. Population Status of Migratory Game Birds in Canada: November 2017. CWS Migratory Birds Regulatory Report Number 49. 221 pp. Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) Waterfowl Committee. 2017. Population Status of Migratory Game Birds in Canada: November 2017. CWS Migratory Birds Regulatory Report Number 49. 221 pp. (Link)