Modeling survival and movement of resident giant Canada goose populations in the Atlantic flyway

Abstract

Distribution of resident giant Canada geese (Branta canadensis maxima) has changed markedly in the Atlantic Flyway in recent decades. This change may be related to habitat variation or to changes in hunting regulations. We attempt to assess impacts of hunting regulations on survival, movement, and harvest rate of Canada goose populations from Maine to South Carolina. During 15 June-31 July 1991-1995, a total of 20,923 Canada geese were individually marked with unique metal leg bands and rubber neck collars. Capture-recapture, resighting, and recovery data will be used in a multi-state model of Canada goose populations in New England, the Mid-Atlantic, the Chesapeake Region, and the Carolinas. We plan to model annual survival, movement, and harvest rate as a function of harvest regulations while controlling for collar loss. Inferences will be drawn about the effects of harvest regulations on these parameters. Such inferences should be useful in management of resident Canada goose populations throughout the eastern United States.