Agency Expects Canada Geese To Be Plentiful In Md.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- Maryland's Department of Natural Resources says hunters can look forward to large numbers of Canada geese this fall.

DNR officials say the number of breeding pairs increased to more than 190,000 this spring from about 150,000 the year before.

Cold spring temperatures in key nesting areas, however, kept reproduction below average. Despite the cold spring, state
officials say large numbers of birds should return to Maryland this fall.

The department says the Atlantic population is the largest in North America for the species. More than half of those geese migrate to Maryland for the winter.

The first week of the goose season runs from Nov. 19-25. The season starts again Dec. 15 and runs through Jan. 28.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)