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Nerves Of Steel: Canada Geese Donβt Flee Far From Gun-Toting Hunters
Can a wildlife management area support both wildlife and human recreational opportunities, particularly hunting?
Β© by GrrlScientist for Forbes | LinkTr.ee
Canada geese are more wily than most people think. For example, a new study by a team of researchers at Pennsylvania State University reports that Canada geese, Branta canadensis, seem to understand when and where hunters will arrive, and yet they still refuse to leave their favourite haunts, despite the risks. This studyβs findings aligns with a previous study conducted in Chicago (more here).
βCanada geese β many of which are non-migratory in Pennsylvania β account for about half of the total harvest of waterfowl within the state of Pennsylvania,β said the studyβs senior author, Frances Buderman, an assistant professor of quantitative wildlife ecology. βHowever, we know very little about how resident geese respond to hunting pressure on Middle Creek and Pymatuning Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and similar areas across the country.β
Pymatuning WMA comprises 9,661 acres in the northwest corner of Pennsylvania, and Middle Creek WMA comprises 6,207 acres in the southeast. Both WMAs are operated and maintained by the Pennsylvania Game Commission specifically to increase game species and to createβ¦
