Wild goose hunting begins on 1 September and continues until 28 February of the following year.
Description: The bodies of wild geese are covered with dense, waterproof feathers that they continually coat with the oily secretion of a well-developed preen gland. The plumage is water-resistant and is often colourful in many species, especially in males. Geese have a compact, solid body with a relatively small head, often carried on a long neck. Their bills are adapted for feeding both on land and in water. Their legs are proportionally very short and have four toes, three of which point forwards and are joined by webbing, allowing rapid movement through the water. During moulting, most species lose all their flight feathers at the same time. They then become more inconspicuously coloured, which helps protect them while they are unable to fly. Down feathers and a layer of fat beneath the skin provide thermal insulation during this period. Wild geese lay uniformly coloured eggs, from which young hatch already capable of living outside the nest.
Habitat and diet: Wild geese generally live close to water, in wetlands, near estuaries and along the banks of rivers or the sea. Some species spend most of their lives on the open sea and come ashore only during the mating season and while raising their young. Most feed on or close to the water’s surface, while some also feed on land by grazing on grass and other vegetation. Wild geese regularly swallow small stones that act as gastroliths in their muscular stomach and help grind the food.
Flight: Most wild geese are excellent fliers. Many migratory species cover great distances between their breeding grounds and wintering areas. These journeys may extend for several thousand kilometres.
Hunting dates and methods are provided for information only. Final dates, permits and conditions are confirmed in accordance with the regulations in force and the rules of the relevant hunting ground.
