Are Geese Protected Birds in Florida? Let’s Find Out

Last updated on August 25th, 2022 at 12:23 am

The federal classification of protected birds is endangered or threatened. Many states use terms like “imperiled,” as is the case in Florida, but the US Endangered Species Act doesn’t recognize such classifications. So, are geese protected birds in Florida as per the state and federal laws?  

Geese are protected birds in Florida according to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, which has been adopted by the state through its Rule 68A-16.001. However, geese are not an endangered or threatened species, nor are they at risk or imperiled in Florida.

How Geese Are Protected Birds in Florida

The 1918 Migratory Bird Treaty Act is a multinational accord among the following countries:

• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Japan
• Russia

The objective is to conserve the populations of almost 1,100 bird species, including geese.

The federal law has been adopted by Florida, and most of its protective provisions are applicable statewide, including restrictions on the following activities:

• Killing
• Selling
• Trading
• Capturing
• Transport

These activities are allowed only through authorizations or special permits that are granted by the Department of Interior US Fish and Wildlife Service.

States have their own agencies or departments, like the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

While geese are migratory birds in Florida, not every species is considered such.

Also, not all geese species are protected in Florida because some are excluded from the treaty’s purview.  

Canadian Geese Is Classified as a Florida Native

Canadian geese (Branta canadensis) is a migratory bird species for most parts of the country.

But the conservation attempts and growing populations of the species in a few states have turned Canadian geese into a local waterfowl. 

Not too long ago, they migrated in large flocks to warmer Florida only during the arctic winters.

Florida was a haven for the species as the state had everything it needed, including:

• Natural habitats: Ponds, lakes, marshes, and other bodies of water.
• Preferred food: Grass, grains, aquatic plants, and other vegetation.

Today, the Canadian geese of Florida don’t migrate at all.

The species is a permanent resident of the state, which is why Florida lists it as a native, along with 59 other bird species.

However, the native status isn’t correlated to protection or endangerment. Some native birds of Florida are imperiled, but not Canadian geese.

On the contrary, this waterfowl species is now a nuisance in many parts of Florida, especially Tallahassee.

Many residents of the state capital believe that Canada geese have overstayed their welcome. 

There are reported accidents involving these waterfowls, including people who have suffered injuries due to aggressive geese attacking them in urban areas.

Also, lackadaisical geese crossing streets have caused accidents. 

The other prevalent concern in urban areas is cleanliness and hygiene, especially for Florida’s golf courses, ballfields, lush lawns, and waterfronts.

Still, Canada’s geese are a protected species due to the multinational treaty and federal law that Florida has adopted as a state rule. 

The Complete List of Protected Geese Species in Florida

Here’s the full list of protected geese species in Florida:

Only the Canada goose from this list is classified as a native species in Florida.

The other species, such as snow geese, continue to be migratory birds in many parts of the state.

The List of Geese Species Not Protected in Florida

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act doesn’t apply to many bird species, including a few geese.

So, the state of Florida doesn’t classify these geese species as protected, imperiled, or otherwise. 

Here is a list of the geese species that are not protected in Florida:

None of the protections granted by the treaty and Florida’s state law apply to these geese.

Thus, you don’t need special authorization or permits to hunt for games unless there is a local rule you must abide by.

Hunting Regulations for Protected Geese in Florida

While many goose species are protected in Florida, there are some game birds throughout the state, including the following:

• Canada goose
• Snow goose
• Ross’ goose

Both Snow and Ross’ species are classified as light geese. 

Florida is also home to blue geese, which is a variety of Snow species. You can hunt these waterfowls at the stipulated times in the late fall and winter.

However, you must have valid paperwork, including the following:

• Hunting license
• Federal duck stamp
• Migratory bird permit
• Florida waterfowl permit

The migratory bird permit doesn’t cost anything if you already have a hunting license. The duck stamp is a federal requirement, which costs $28.50.

And the Florida waterfowl permit costs $5. You must have all the four essential permissions to hunt for protected geese in the state. 

Furthermore, you must adhere to the following hunting regulations:

• Season dates
• Hunting hours
• Daily bag limit
• Possession limit

Here are the 2022-2023 hunting season dates for protected geese in Florida:

• Canada goose: September 3 to 25, November 19 to 27, December 1 to January 30.
• Snow and Ross: November 19 to 27 and December 10 to January 29.

You can carry up to 5 bags per day and hunt 15 Canadian geese on these dates. The daily bag limit for Snow and Ross’ geese is 15 without any restriction on possession. 

The hunting hours are usually from 30 minutes prior to sunrise until sunset. But these hours may vary based on where you are.

Also, these hunting regulations might not apply to a few wildlife management areas. 

You should check the local rules and management policies in such cases.  

These stringent hunting regulations don’t apply to unprotected geese species in Florida.

If any species is not protected in the state or federally, you can hunt those geese for game with a valid license.

But verify if you need a federal duck stamp, or Florida waterfowl permit for some geese. 

Sources

• US Geological Survey: What Are the Differences Between Endangered, Threatened, Imperiled, and At-Risk?
• Audubon Florida: Florida’s Imperiled Birds
• Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: Migratory Bird Hunting Regulations