Goose hunting has come of age in Minnesota. More geese are harvested here than in any other state. That's the word from Steve Cordts, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' waterfowl staff specialist in Bemidji.

"Most years we typically harvest more than 200,000 birds," said Cordts.

Giant Canada geese make up 90 percent of the harvest, and the majority of these birds is born and raised right here in Minnesota. The remaining birds are Eastern Prairie Population Canada geese that nest along the western shore of Hudson Bay and then stage at Lac qui Parle in November. A few thousand small Canadas are harvested in various spots throughout the state.

Even with the stable numbers of resident geese over the last decade, the number of hunters has declined. Since 2000, the numbers have dropped by about a third, which isn't good news. Waterfowling became popular as the resident goose population grew in the 1980s and 1990s but is on the downswing once again.

The regulations continue to change to reflect goose distribution trends, said Cordts. During recent years, the regulations in some zones have become more liberal to reflect the excellent hunting available. The seasons and bag limits have increased in the West, West-Central and Northwest zones to allow even more opportunities.

So the geese are here and the hunting pressure is less, which is good news for honker hunters this season.

Here's where you can get in on the action this fall.

LAC QUI PARLE STATE GAME REFUGE
The top spot for Minnesota's late-fall goose hunting is Lac qui Parle. This huge wildlife area hosts more geese than a hunter can begin to count on a good day.

Migrants begin arriving in mid-October and the numbers will peak out between 125,000 and 150,000 birds. Most of the birds are from Hudson Bay and weigh between 8 and 10 pounds. Giant Canadas comprise about 20 percent of the total harvest.

According to wildlife manager Dave Trauba, the shooting can be excellent. Lac qui Parle is the major staging area for geese in Minnesota. Over the last decade, the peak shooting has moved from the first couple of weeks of November to mid- or late November and on into December. Geese will travel from 10 to 15 miles off the refuge to feed in nearby fields and can be intercepted during the flights in and out.

More than 100 public goose-hunting blinds are available. Drawings are held every day during the regular goose season for blind assignment and hardly anyone gets turned away. Some blinds are ground pits, and some are cribs above ground. There are half a dozen water blinds and a boat is needed to reach them.

Lac qui Parle features 5,600-acre Parle Lake, 5,000-acre Marsh Lake and low marshy areas and wetlands. There are no motors allowed on the eastern half of Marsh Lake during the open waterfowl seasons.