[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION No. 88

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

INTRODUCED MAY 6, 1996

 

 

By Assemblymen BODINE, ASSELTA, Assemblywoman Bark, Assemblymen Blee, LeFevre and Gibson

 

 

An Assembly Resolution memorializing the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to authorize additional hunting opportunities for resident Canada geese in New Jersey.

 

Whereas, The Canada goose population residing year-round in New Jersey has grown significantly over the past two decades; and

Whereas, This now large resident Canada goose population causes millions of dollars worth of damage to farm crops every year, contributes to nonpoint pollution through the great amount of fecal droppings deposited by the geese either directly or indirectly into waterways, and generally causes significant lawn maintenance, sanitation, and nuisance problems for public parks, playgrounds, golf courses, schoolyards, and corporate parks; and

Whereas, The extent and seriousness of the resident goose overpopulation problem in New Jersey has been recognized previously by the granting of an early goose hunting season in September before migrant Canada geese arrive in New Jersey and a winter hunting season in some parts of the State that do not host overwintering migrants, but these limited hunting opportunities have not been enough to significantly reduce the population to the extent necessary to curb the economic damage and general public nuisance caused by these birds; now, therefore,

 

    Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

 

    1. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service is respectfully memorialized to take all necessary action as soon as possible to authorize additional hunting opportunities for resident Canada geese in New Jersey, by increasing the number of hunting days allowed in September 1and October1 and in 1January and1 February, increasing the area in which winter season hunting is allowed in the State, or increasing bag limits, or by such other methods as may be deemed appropriate.

 

    2. Duly authenticated copies of this resolution, signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested by the Clerk thereof, shall be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the majority and minority leaders of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives, every member of Congress elected from this State, the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

 

 

                             

 

Memorializes U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to expand resident goose hunting opportunities in NJ.