Appendix C 
Wisconsin Conservation Department 
Madison 1, Wisconsin 
HORICON MARSH GOOSE KILL SURVEY 
Horicon Marsh has become the most popular and important goose hunting 
erea in Wisconsin. A number of problems have developed with the growth of 
the goose population and the interest in goose hunting. One of the most 
difficult problems is to regulate hunting properly. Hunters should be allowed 
to take as many geese as possible, but not more than can be replaced by the 
next breeding season. Heavy concentrations of hunters that lead to a break- 
down of sport and sportsmanship must be discouraged. A favorable distribu- 
tion of the goose harvest among hunters is desirable. 
The first of these objectives, taking as many geese as possible but not 
more than can be replaced by the next breeding season, is the most difficult 
and the most important as far as the future of goose management is concerned. 
The first step in reaching this objective is to develop a means of estimating 
the kill at intervals during the season. This year the Wisconsin Conserva- 
tion Department and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are cooperating on 
development of surveys that are intended to provide harvest estimates from 
the Horicon Marsh goose flock. 
Brief questionnaires will be sent to farmers in parts of Dodge and 
Fond du Jac Counties near Horicon Marsh at intervals during the 1960 goose 
season. Information will be sought on land open to hunting, on hunting 
pressure, on whether any goose hunting was done on the farm during the pre- 
ceding period and on the number of geese killed there. Farmers receiving 
a questionnaire will be asked to supply answers as accurately as possible 
and to return it immediately in an envelope which will be provided. The 
questionnaire should be returned even though no goose hunting occurred during 
the period covered. 
Some people may feel that the purpose of this type of survey is mainly 
to obtain an early closing of the season. If conditions call for it this 
may be true. The reverse is also true. If the harvest should be proceeding 
slowly, the survey might result in a longer open season and increased hunt- 
ing opportunity. The quota system is expected to become an established 
practice in the future and we need this type of information to protect our 
hunting interests as well as to properly manage the goose flock. 
The cooperation of people that control the land on which geese are being 
shot is requested because it would be practically impossible to question the 
number of hunters necessary to provide an accurate estimate. Another method 
of estimating thé harvest, involving personal contact with a sample of farmers, 
is also being attempted. The results of the two independent surveys are 
expected to supplement one another. 
37 
9-27-60 ah 
