Tracking Lessers & Tavs

We are so excited to explore and find new impactful studies that we can tie into our Limited Series. While talking with Ducks Unlimited and Alaska Department of Fish and Game, we talked about a study that they are currently smack dab in the middle of. When it comes to the next Limited drop, we couldn’t find a better fit for our final 25th Anniversary Limited drop than the project.

DSD has its roots in the Pacific Northwest. An area well known for its diversity of waterfowl sub species. Before DSD got its start, Dave and Brad cut their teeth guiding the Willamette Valley targeting predominantly small to mid sized geese (ie. Cacklers, Taverner’s and Lessers). These wary geese are the very reason why Dave sculpted the first decoy 25 years ago.

“Along with the financial contribution, DSD also donated Lesser decoys over the summer to help assist with the rocket netting efforts.”

In our personal hunting, we have always noticed many different traits of these birds in different areas and Lessers and Tavs have always been extremely hard to identify from each other with any significant degree of confidence. When we found out about the groundbreaking work ADFG is spearheading both on the breeding and wintering grounds with these two subspecies, we had to include it as one of our conservation efforts for this year. 

The study uses GPS collars to mark both Lessers and Taverner’s Geese and track their movement throughout their entire migration. The data they are getting from these collars is so valuable and incomparable to traditional bands and collars. Below is a full breakdown of the study from ADF&G. 

As always, 100% of the auction revenue and 20% of the entire Limited Series revenue goes towards conservation efforts like these. Along with the financial contribution, DSD also donated Lesser decoys over the summer to help assist with the rocket netting efforts. 

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Movements of Lesser Canada and Taverner’s Cackling Geese Marked with GPS-GSM Collars in Alaska

Michael R. Guttery and Tasha J. DiMarzio

Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG) – Statewide Waterfowl Program

In partnership with Ducks Unlimited, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW).ADFG is hoping to get a better handle on Lesser Canada and Taverner’s cackling geese ecology to better understand and manage these populations. The information obtained from these collars provides insights into: 

• Nesting and Wintering Distribution
• Migration Routes 
• Estimation of Survival/Harvest 

 This is year three of a five-year study. ADFG has deployed GPS-GSM collars on approximately 200 geese in Alaska, Washington, and Oregon. Biologists have captured geese through molt drives and rocket netting in staging and wintering areas to capture, collar, and band geese. Decoys are an important element to drawing geese to the rocket nets.  While conducting captures in March 2024, the team first used DSD goose decoys and were immediately impressed with how geese responded to the spread.  Subsequently, DSD contributed decoys to support this research, and these decoys have contributed to the capture and marking of many more geese. 

Previous research on Lesser Canada and Taverner’s cackling geese has been limited by the difficulty of distinguishing these two species in-hand.  To ensure the quality of their data and rigor of management recommendations from this research, ADFG is also working with conservation geneticists to determine the species/sub-species of each collared bird based on its DNA. 

As collared geese travel down the flyway they are at risk of harvest. ADFG and Partners would like to work cooperatively with hunters to redeploy collars from harvested birds. It is up to the hunter to notify ADFG with the information stamped on the collar. As a thank you; ADFG can provide a replica collar and printout of the bird’s movements prior to harvest. As hunters, it is our responsibility to work with managers and biologists to understand these birds and gather data for the betterment of the species/subspecies.  By working together, we ensure that future generations will be able to experience these awesome geese.