Information regarding the magnitude and variation in survival rates is nece
ssary for understanding the causes of large changes in population size. We
examined survival of greater white-fronted geese (Anser albifrons frontalis
) in the Pacific Flyway during 1979-82. The population declined by 75% in t
he decade preceding our study but was stable during our investigation. Annu
al survival of adults (0.749, SE = 0.045) was 7% higher than during an earl
ier study. We developed a simple population model which suggests that recen
t (1985-96) survival rates may be as much as 10% higher in adults than the
1979-82 rate, which corresponds to population increases observed since 1985
. Survival of adult females varied seasonally; monthly survival during a pe
riod of winter when no hunting or migration occurred was higher (0.986, SE
= 0.015) than monthly survival at other times (0.964, SE = 0.006). Survival
of adult males varied among years and with a general seasonal trend invers
e to that for females. An index of body condition was positively related to
survival of adult females in fall and spring, but not for adult males or i
mmature geese. Monthly survival of immatures was lower during their first h
unting season (0.886, SE = 0.026) than during all subsequent seasons (0.963
, SE = 0.007). Annual survival of immatures beginning 1 October, immediatel
y before the hunting season, was 0.471. Corresponding variations in surviva
l rates, population numbers, and hunting regulations suggest that hunting m
ay have influenced survival in this population of greater white-fronted gee
se.