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FORKS, N.D. (AP) – The number of Canada geese remains too high in much of North Dakota, despite an August early hunting season in each of the past six years.

The Canada goose population this past spring stood at about 350,000 birds – five times higher than in 2000, Game and Fish wildlife biologist Mike Szymanski tells the Grand Forks Herald.

The early hunting season is aimed at reducing the population of the birds. This year’s season opened last Thursday and runs through Sept. 15 in much of the state. It runs through Sept. 7 in the Missouri River zone.

Szymanski says a higher bag limit of 15 birds put in place last year could be even more significant this year because the possession limit is now three times the daily limit.