We wait for the morning light to break. Anticipation sets in and hope is heavy for a good day in the field. As the sun comes up it paint’s a picture of a black curtain lifting up and presenting a stage in front of us. As the birds wake up and race to find breakfast, off the wetlands the fly and into the fields they go. Waiting patiently there we sit in bundles of clothing with our breaths swirling in the crisp cold air. As we overlook the horizon the first flock comes into view. So far out in the distance they look like black dots dancing in the sky traveling at a rapid pace. As we start to cluck distinctively with our short reeds and wave the goose flag pleading for there attention they begin to swing a bit to our direction and then black dots turn into dark silhouettes and start to take color and distinction. The Branta Canadensis or in English the mighty Canada Goose begin to set there monster jumbo jet plane wings entering for a perfect landing into our spread of decoys. As we wait to call the shot my eyes size them up from beak to toenail. One goose honks and I can clearly see his beak open as the sound is carried loud and confident but as I pan down to his ankles wrapped around I see a shiny piece of aluminum that sparkles as a diamond ring to the fanciest of women would love.
An added bonus to most waterfowl hunters is when you harvest a bird that has a leg band or a neck collar. Hunters fill there lanyards with them from top to bottom leaving no clear view of the lanyard itself. Banding birds travel’s back in time to the late 1500’s to when Henry IV's banded Peregrine Falcons that had become lost in a battle in France. They showed up 24 hours later about 1,350 miles away and averaged 56 miles an hour. With technological advances and studies banding into the 21st Century has helped us establish and understand lots of specific information and data on our migratory populations.
Annually tens of thousands of migratory birds are banded. When one harvests a banded bird you should always call them in and report the band for research data. Now with today’s new forms of communication you can also report them online. A unique sequential series of numbers are on the band that is recorded at the time of banding. At the time of banding the birds are sexed and aged. The number along with the data at time of banding goes into the master computer which is at the main facility in Laurel, Maryland or known as the Bird Banding Factory. Another added incentive is a selection of the bands offer cash reward amounts for reporting them in. Survival rate and migration reports are the most important information from the reported bands. We are then able to better understand the current status of our migratory birds and it allows us to regulate hunting seasons and limits also. At the time of reporting it you can decide if you would like a certificate mailed to you on the specific data of the banded bird.
As a hunter I feel it is so interesting and important to understand the species you desire. The more increased knowledge of them and their habits and habitat the better increased opportunities you will have to succeed. So keep your eyes open and ready to spot the jewelry of a different kind on the ankles of the migratory birds. It is a very rewarding experience as a conservationist and a hunter and a way to help out in preserving the sport we all love so much.S
Reporting Bands
To Call Them In: #1-(800)-327-BAND
To Report Them Online: http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl/
