BISMARCK, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Early Canada Goose season is underway in North Dakota.

Game & Fish Wildlife Outreach Biologist Doug Leier says opening day was Thursday, August 15th and the season continues through September 7th.

Leier says residents need a $5 early Canada goose license and a general game and habitat license. Also, residents age 16 and older need a small game license. Nonresidents need only a $50 early Canada goose license, and the license is valid statewide without counting against the 14-day regular season license.

Closing dates are Sept. 7 in the Missouri River zone, Sept. 15 in the western zone and Sept. 20 in the eastern zone.

Leier says hunters are encouraged to get registrations and more done at gf.nd.gov. This includes HIP Registration.

HIP registration is a cooperative program designed to determine a sample of hunters from which to measure the harvest of migratory birds for management purposes.

Leier says hunters can receive a guide tour through PLOTS at most license vendors and other locations in the state.

To minimize possible confusion, Game and Fish will update PLOTS map sheets weekly on its website.

The PLOTS guide features maps highlighting these walk-in areas, identified in the field by inverted triangular yellow signs, as well as other public lands.

You can listen to Doug Leier every Thursday at 7:35 AM on Big Dog Country 95.5 FM with JD in the Morning.