Band recovery locations of Canada geese (Branta canadensis) banded in Florida are discussed in regard to ,the Canada goose decline in Florida and other southeastern states. Flock inventories of traditional wintering areas in the South and newly-established mid-continent wintering sites are reported. Limited data indicate refuges with grain farming located along migration routes have intercepted Canada geese enroute to their ancestral wintering areas. The resulting problems are stressed. * * * * * The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service's 1967 winter waterfowl survey reports the highest Canada goose population in history (Gottschalk 1967). For nearly a half century, most goose concentrations have consistently increased, but certain wintering flocks in the South have dwindled. Only remnant flocks remain along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts from South Carolina to Texas. If this decline continues, these flocks will probably perish by 1975. The purpose of this report is to discuss the Canada goose decline in Florida and other southeastern states, and to stress the need for restoring former wintering numbers. The lack of complete data on the decrease of any particular flock requires general speculation in discussing this problem. But limited data imply geese which traditionally wintered in the South have been intercepted by goose management practices along fall migration routes.
