Communication is a Priority
The work group recommended that appropriate management actions begin as
quickly as possible. However, many strategies will be controversial. As
with many natural resource issues, no matter what the task, some individual
or group will object to a proposed action. If the individual or group is
strong enough or influential enough any project can be killed. The snow
goose issue is no exception.
The list of those who could stand in the way of effective snow goose management
could include nonhunting urban residents in New York City, goose hunting
guides in Texas, northern arctic residents, wildlife agency administrators,
and everyone in between. The only way to overcome potential controversy
is through communication and education.
Only through communication can others learn that:
1. The snow goose problem is serious and requires a management solution.
2. It is the responsibility of the agencies involved to attempt to resolve
the snow goose problem and that it is irresponsible to ignore it.
3. Managers have examined all potential solutions and the approaches to
be implemented are reasonable, sensible, and responsible.
4. Managers understand and are sensitive to the concerns of hunters, nonhunters,
and all other resources involved.
The work group emphasized the need for a thorough communications effort
to support a new snow goose management program. The major responsibility
for this effort lies in the hands of the two federal agencies that manage
migratory bird populations - the Canadian Wildlife Service and the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service. However, state and provincial wildlife agencies
and private organizations must take on a fair share of this load.
The work group report is simply a first step in the long road to resolving
the snow goose problem. It represents our best effort to identify the problem,
courses of action, and ultimate solutions. Wildlife managers, administrators,
legislative bodies, hunters and others across North America must now work
together to effectively resolve the problem of too many snow geese.
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