Reproductive Success and Brood Movements of Giant Canada Geese in Eastern South Dakota (Report‪)‬

INTRODUCTION The South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks (SDGFP) initiated a program to reintroduce giant Canada geese (Branta canadensis maxima) into the state in 1962 (Mammenga, 2000). During these efforts, several research projects were conducted to examine reproductive success of these geese (Hilley, 1976; Clausing, 1979). In recent years, South Dakota's resident Canada goose population has increased dramatically. The 2005 May breeding population in the eastern half of South Dakota was estimated at 108,000 (U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2006). As in many other areas of the United States, there have been problems associated with high populations of Canada geese. In order to properly manage giant Canada goose populations as they increase, it is important to determine their reproductive success. During an ongoing study of giant Canada goose movements (Anderson, 2006), we had the opportunity to determine the reproductive success of radio-collared females. We wanted to determine reproductive parameters such as clutch sizes, nest initiation dates, hatching dates, and nesting success since the reintroduction period.