Goose hunters enjoyed a great season in 2005 at the Muskegon County Wastewater Goose Management Unit, according to wildlife biologist Nic Kalejs. The season at the MCWGMU varies each year according to crop harvest. In 2005, the season was scheduled to run from Oct. 25 through Nov. 14 and from Dec. 1 through Dec. 4, but the 500-goose quota was reached in November.

"Goose counts on the MCWGMU were approximately 20 percent higher last season than in 2004 and were among the highest recorded in the last five years," Kalejs said. Goose numbers were very similar to the previous year in September, but cold and snow pushed the geese southward much earlier than in previous years. "Goose harvest reports from September were similar to 2004, but the overall goose harvest at the MCWGMU was up significantly."

In 2004, hunters took 234 geese compared with 514 in 2005. One of the reasons for the significantly higher harvest rates was the unusually high number of juvenile geese in the population. Sixty-three percent of the geese examined were juveniles in 2005 compared with 34 percent in 2004. Young geese are usually dumb geese, and it was evident in the kill last year at the MCWGMU.

For more information on season dates, hunting opportunities and maps of this hunting area, contact the Muskegon Waste Water Treatment Plant at (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.

Areas like the Fennville Farm Unit, Allegan High Banks, Bravo Unit and Ottawa Marsh Managed Waterfowl Unit in western Allegan County and the Allegan State Game Area offer waterfowlers over 50,000 acres of public-hunting land. The area is very popular with Michigan goose hunters, and last year they enjoyed some exceptional sport. The season in the Allegan County Goose Management Unit ran from Nov. 24 to Nov. 27 and Dec. 24 to Dec. 31, with a one-goose daily bag limit. The season reopened from Jan. 1 through Jan. 13 with a two-goose daily bag limit. The quota for the unit in 2005 was 1,500 geese.

"Geese showed up later in 2005 due to the milder temperatures," observed wildlife biologist Tyson Edwards. "The goose numbers, though, were higher than in the last several years. The highest counts were in mid- to late December."

The December season coincided with peak numbers of migratory birds, so hunters enjoyed great hunting. Milder temperatures in January dispersed the birds into open water and feeding areas, but it also kept the geese around. As a result, hunters bagged almost twice as many geese -- 1,106 in 2005 versus 662 in 2004 -- but were still far short of the 1,500-bird quota set for the ACGMU.

For information on goose hunting opportunities at the Fennville Farm Unit or the Allegan Highbanks, call (269) 673-2430. For information on amenities and accommodations in the Allegan area, contact the Southwest Michigan Tourist Council at (269) 925-6301, or on the Web at www. swmichigan.com.