"The timing of the season is critical," said Luukkonen. "Right now we're targeting the local giants, but if we changed to a more traditional goose season ' timing it with the peak of migration ' it would result in a shorter season to stay within the management goals."

Luukkonen indicated there is a very finite relationship between hunting days and harvest.

Although Michigan's goose season was shortened last year to only 30 days, hunters who got out into the field enjoyed great hunting. The early season provided some great sport for those who took time to scout and find concentrations of local birds. Hunters who complain about not being able to shoot their fair share of migratory geese really missed out if they didn't take advantage of the short Dec. 4-12 segment of the season last year.

"The December season benefits the ardent goose hunters," claimed Luukkonen. "Overall, Michigan goose hunters have a wonderful opportunity taking into account the number of days we have to hunt and the diversity."

What can Michigan goose hunters expect this season?

"It's hard to say what kind of season there might be this year," offered Luukkonen. "We need to find out about the status of the migratory population before we can make any decisions."

With the main focus of Michigan's goose season on local giant Canada geese, goose season goes the way local bird populations go.

"I would have to say that the number of local geese were down," said Citizen Waterfowl Advisory Committee member Mike Abson of Belding.

Goose hunting in mid-Michigan goes largely the way local goose populations go. Without large refuges or large bodies of water to attract migratory geese, hunting in the middle of our state depends on local giant Canadas. Like most of the state, their numbers have been reduced by the special seasons and increased hunting pressure across much of mid-Michigan.

While the shoreline of west Michigan draws its share of migratory birds, few hunters took advantage of the December season last year when migratory birds were abundant. The hunting was great for those who participated. Local geese were scarce during the early season.

"The early season has done its job," said one CWAC member. "There are probably half as many birds and twice as many hunters as there was just a few years ago."

Goose hunting at most of Michigan's managed waterfowl areas was generally poor in 2004.

"Due to changes in the federal framework covering the MVP of Canada geese, both the season length and Canada goose quota on the Muskegon Waste Water Treatment Plant were reduced in 2004," said wildlife biologist Nik Kalejs. "Reflecting the reduced season length, goose hunting success trended significantly downward."

Kalejs reported that only 232 Canada geese were killed on the WWTP in 2004 compared to 666 in 2003. Fewer hunts and hunter trips were only part of the reason ' goose hunter success rates also declined from .26 to .19 per hunter trip.

"A number of factors probably contributed to this decline, including a later opening date, weather, migration patterns and a surprisingly high ratio of adults to juveniles in the harvest," said Kalejs about the 66 percent to 34 percent ratio. "However, the change in the regular season framework and the resulting separation between WWTP hunting days and the regular goose season was a key factor."

Kalejs reported that goose numbers peaked at 7,800 birds during the last 10 days of October, down slightly from 2003 peak number of 8,000. A secondary peak in goose number occurred at the WWTP during the first 10 days of December when approximately 7,000 geese were using the area.

For more information on goose hunting opportunities at the Muskegon Waste Water Treatment Plant, call (231) 788-5055. For information on lodging and accommodations in the Muskegon area, contact the Muskegon County Convention & Visitors Bureau at (231) 722-3751 or online at www.travel-muskegon.com.