ESTIMATING CANADA GOOSE HARVEST IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS QUOTA ZONES

This paper examines the utility of 3 different methodologies for estim ating Canada goose (Branta canadensis) harvest in 2 quota zones in sou thern Illinois from 1982 to 1992. For the Southern Illinois Quota Zone (4 counties), daily registration forms ((x) over bar = 24,855), the I llinois Waterfowl Hunter Survey (state survey; (x) over bar = 25,143), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Waterfowl Harvest Survey (fede ral survey; (x) over bar = 22,137) produced similar estimates of goose harvest. For the Rend Lake Quota Zone (2 counties), extrapolation fro m the public hunting area (daily registration forms; (x) over bar = 7, 036) and the state survey ((x) over bar = 7,246) produced similar esti mates of goose harvest, but the federal survey ((x) over bar = 8,771) produced higher estimates. When the extrapolation factor was fine tune d, the daily registration form estimates and the federal survey estima tes agreed. The use of daily registration forms is an acceptable proce dure for monitoring Canada goose harvest in these quota zones. Attempt s to record all geese harvested appear unnecessary and a waste of agen cy time and public funds.