The hunter who committed the violation has been identified, and an administrative violation process has been initiated for the incident. Other hunters are invited to update their knowledge about which game bird species can be hunted legally and which cannot.
Dace Sāmīte, the head of the Kurzeme regional administration of the DAP says that this is the first case where the hunting of barnacle geese has been detected. The maximum fine can reach 700 euros.
As the goose hunting season has just begun, the DAP is reminding licensed hunters that only lead-free ammunition may be used for waterfowl hunting in most specially protected natural areas.
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There are nine species of geese in Latvia, of which only four are huntable:
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bean goose (Anser fabalis),
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greater white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons ),
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Canada goose (Branta canadensis)
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greylag goose (Anser anser)
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Game and non-game geese can be found on the "Nomeditie.org" website . You can also report hunted geese there.
The barnacle goose is distinguished by its voice and contrasting underparts – black neck and white belly.
Goose hunting in Latvia is allowed only during the birds' autumn migration period, from September 15 to November 30. During the migration, birds rest and feed, presenting concentrated targets for hunters in fields, marshes and shallow lakes, for example in Liepāja and Pape lakes.
