Once the Aleutian goose migration stops and terminal wintering areas were identified, federal and state wildlife officials established zones which prohibited the hunting of all Canada geese. At the same time, the key wintering areas began to be protected, either through the purchase of conservation easements or by the establishment of new federal and state refuges.

By 1991, the Aleutian goose population had rebounded to more than 7,000 birds after being in the mere hundreds in the 1970s. The goose was officially down-listed from endangered to threatened status, although hunting closures continued. Although the fox removal program was stopped after the down-listing, the geese had re-colonized 10 islands and their numbers jumped to more than 28,000 by 1998. Shortly, the process for delisting the Aleutian from a threatened species status was begun. As the goose flock numbers continued to increase (35,000 in 2001) and exceeded the original peak population goals, the Aleutian Canada goose was officially and formally removed from the endangered species list! This historic action represented the first time that an avian species on the list had met all required criteria necessary to deem it fully recovered!

The patience of California waterfowl hunters, who had long endured the regional closures of the hunting of all Canada geese (including a rapidly expanding flock of home-grown honkers) to prevent the accidental shooting of the rare Aleutian, was rewarded in 2002. For the next two seasons, a one Aleutian/day limit was allowed; while in 2004 (with the Aleutian population approaching 47,000), the limit was raised to two a day. In 2005, with the flock numbers climbing to 52,000, the limit was raised to four a day. With the most recent population levels estimated to be over 90,000 (exceeding the official objective of 60,000 set after delisting) and growing, the intensity of Aleutian goose hunting interest has taken off.

Speaking of goose hunting interest, I could easily see the prominent white neck rings on the closest geese dropping towards the decoys. My index finger tensed and I squeezed off three quick shots. Nothing fell, although my primary goal of capturing a flock of decoying Aleutians through my digital 35mm camera was a total success!

Curt, who had skillfully taken a triple from a previous flock, watched the geese lift up, make a higher circle over the field, then depart for a distant corn field. As the morning progressed, Dustin Curci and Curt managed to take several more Aleutians from small flocks that worked into our realistic setup.

A week later, hidden behind a home-made burlap roll-up blind being buffeted by 15 to 20 mph winds, two other hunters and I had small flocks of Aleutians fight their way toward a mid-day roost site. Choked with corn, these birds wanted a drink and our mixed spread of small Canadas, specs, mallards and wigeon set on and around a shallow sandbar, spelled VACANCY to the winged travelers. Unfortunately, their hosts were waiting with 12 gauges, not room keys, and for some Aleutians, their destination was terminal!