Some Pennsylvania state parks will allow Canada goose hunting when the state’s early resident Canada goose season opens Wednesday, Sept. 1, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced today. Non-migratory Canada goose populations have increased drastically in recent years, causing crop damage and nuisance problems in residential neighborhoods. Park visitors often complain about goose excrement on state park beaches and other facilities, and water quality at some state parks has been adversely affected. Many state parks have taken measures, including anti-goose fencing and/or the use of loud noisemakers, in attempts to deter the waterfowl or scare them away.
The statewide season, designed to reduce local nuisance geese populations, runs through Saturday, Sept. 25.
Licensed hunters should contact individual park offices for local starting dates and other details. Some parks are closed to hunting. Also, with the early season starting date falling prior to Labor Day, some parks will not allow hunting until Tuesday, Sept. 7, the day after Labor Day. Sunday hunting is not permitted in Pennsylvania.
Complete details regarding hunting seasons and bag limits can be found on the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s website at www.pgc.state.pa.us.