8-26-13 goose and dove hunting seasons

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Canada goose and mourning dove hunting seasons are about to open in Wisconsin.  Both hunting seasons begin on September 1st. The Canada goose season runs through September 15th, while the dove seasons ends on November 9th.  The state Department of Natural Resources says the early Canada goose season, with a more liberal bag limit than the regular season, is allowed by federal rules due to the growth of local giant Canada goose populations.  The DNR estimates that Wisconsin's resident breeding goose population is nearly 139,000.  The early season harvest last fall was estimated at 21,302.   On average, between 100,000 and 200,000 mourning doves are harvested every year.