**4. Global population estimates**

*Birds - Challenges and Opportunities for Business, Conservation and Research*

A very old myth from 12th century in the western British Isles and Ireland said that this 'bird' is spawned from the goose barnacle ('Shellfish' genus *Lepas*) living on seawater [3]. According to the myth, the barnacles, which seemed to grow out of driftwood steeped in sea, were developing geese. And, indeed, people saw goose feathers in the barnacles' cirri which are feather-like feeding appendages the barnacle opens up in water into a fan-shape to catch food particles [4]. So the goose barnacle was giving the Barnacle Goose its English name and the scientific name, *Branta bernicla,* for the Brant or Brent Goose [5]. This myth persisted until the end of the 18th century. Somehow it is easy to see the logic of this myth as in those days these geese or their goslings were never seen in the UK or Irish summer, and so they were assumed to develop underwater in the form of barnacles. And fall gales often blew ashore driftwood full of barnacles just when the annual appearance of geese started through migration from their remote summer breeding grounds north of

*Barnacle goose flock landing like the African locusts to feed everything on the farmer's field in Finland. Photo:* 

It seems clear that the well known Swedish taxonomist, Carl von Linné, also knew this old Middle Age myth, for he named the genus *Lepas* and two local species *L. anatifera* Linnaeus 1758 and *L.anserifera* Linnaeus 1767 ('duck-bearing' and'goose-bearing' correspondingly), and these pedunculate barnacles continue to

Until relatively recently, Catholics in Contai Chiarrae (=County Kerry) in Ireland, who abstained from meat on the fasting days of the Church could still eat the Barnacle Goose because it was considered as fish [6]. These people did not know or care that Pope Innocent III (in 1215) had explicitly prohibited eating of these geese during Lent, arguing that despite their unusual reproduction, they lived and

Barnacle Geese breed mainly on the Arctic islands, Greenland, Svalbard, and Novaya Zemlya. Small numbers of feral birds, also breed in the Northern European countries and since 1971 a new population originally from the Novaya Zemlya has started to breed on the islands and coasts of the Baltic Sea [8]. Principal

fed like ducks and so were of the same nature as other birds [7].

**2. Barnacle Goose—a bird or a fish**

the Arctic Circle [4].

**Figure 1.**

*Courtesy of Esko Rajala.*

be called goose barnacles [4].

**3. Distribution and population**

**128**

Estimated population was 1960 ca. 30,000 individuals [10] but a worry was expressed that what happens to those birds after the nuclear tests of the Soviet Union started in Novaja Zemlja in autumn 1961. However, the size of the Barnacle Goose population has increased from 112,000 in the 1980s to well over 1.4 million in the 2010s [9]. Of all three populations listed above, the Russia, Germany and Holland population is currently the largest and it is expected to grow from 1.2 million in 2014 to 8.7 million birds by the next few years. Such an increase in population size is set to place further pressure on ecosystems, human health and air safety [9].

### **5. Barnacle Goose in Finland**

The oldest observations known are 18 July 1840 from Sipoo and an adult male shot on July 1841 in Åland. After that more birds were seen in different parts of the country but one-third of these observations were made in the autumn [11]. Slowly the numbers started to increase and about 150 birds of this species were seen between Oulunsalo and Hailuoto between 24.-30.May 1954 [12].

During the spring migration 2,000 birds were seen in two days of May 1961, in Loviisa and 3,300 unidentified geese but some likely Barnacle Geese. The largest flocks were about 250 birds when other years before the flocks were much smaller [10].

In Finland, the Barnacle Goose has been breeding since the early 1980s [13]. The population size is now more than 14,000 individuals. Birds breeding in Finland head south later in the autumn than arctic breeders, and return north sooner in the spring [13]. A total of 3,421 have been ringed 1913–2019 (**Table 1**) and about half of those were goslings. There are 2,458 recoveries and 96% of those come from Finland. Some 80 per cent have been recovered alive, mainly by reading the ring number with binoculars or telescope. Before 2011 there were 11 recoveries from Holland, five from Germany, two from Russia, and one from Sweden [15]. Both of the geese shot in Russia were ringed as goslings in Helsinki and Kotka. The natal site fidelity is high as 13 goslings were recovered in subsequent summers on average 3 km distance (range 0–152 km). The longevity record for Finnish Barnacle Geese is 22 years 4 months and 17 days [15].

#### **5.1 Remarks on other goose in Finland**

Before the conservation and the management options concerning the Barnacle Geese it is important to see the situation of the other goose species in the country.

#### **5.2** *Anser albifrons*

White-fronted Goose or Greater White-fronted Goose has holarctic distribution, predominantly in the tundra but to some extent also in the boreal climatic

#### *Birds - Challenges and Opportunities for Business, Conservation and Research*


#### **Table 1.**

*Goose ringing in Finland 1913–2019 [14].*

zone. This species shows a remarkable similarity in behaviour with the Greylag Goose and in the south, their breeding ranges are immediately adjacent [1]. White-fronted Goose does not breed in Finland but Siberian birds are seen in the country on migration, especially in autumn, sometimes in large flocks. The birds that migrate over Finland spend the winter around the North Sea [16]. The number of these migrants varies between 250,000 and 400,000 individuals [17]. Ringing results reveal that most of the breeding birds from western Greenland on their autumn migration cross both the interior of Greenland and the wide stretch of the Atlantic Ocean to winter in Ireland and western parts of Scotland and England [1]. Global estimates rank this goose the third most numerous goose in the world with some 3 million birds [17, 18]. Hunting is popular and given the size of the population the daily bag limit for White-fronted Geese was recently increased from two to three birds in the US Central and Mississippi Flyways [18]. Japan has the largest population of Greater White-fronted Geese wintering in eastern Asia [19]. Recent flocks of up to 100,000 birds are starting similar discussion on agriculture damages as the Barnacle Geese are causing in Finland [20].

## **5.3** *Anser anser*

The Greylag Goose is the ancestor of the domestic goose and in the historic times, the species nested over the whole of Europe, and even in northeastern Algeria [1]. Still, in the 18th century, the Greylag Goose nested on all the sea coasts of Finland. The increased traffic, cultivation of the suitable breeding grounds and direct nest disturbance were thought to be responsible for the great reduction in numbers of this species [11]. Therefore, it has ceased to breed over the great part of the earlier distribution area. Already in the 1920s, this goose was not breeding regularly in the Gulf of Finland and the bottom of the population was probably in the 1940s when only three pairs nested in the Gulf of Finland and 20 pairs in the Archipelago Sea [11]. After the species was given full protection in 1947 the slow increase started and in 1950 the population was estimated to be 150 pairs and 1955 already 250 pairs [11]. Then Greylag Geese started to return to breed along the entire coastal stretch of Finland but the majority of the population was found in the Gulf of Bothnia. The population kept growing and the full protection was withdrawn in 1960 [21]. In 1974 alarm bells were ringed again:" The populations of the Greylag Goose are alarmingly small and may be in serious need of protection" [22].

**131**

intensities [31].

*Management of the Barnacle Goose (*Branta leucopsis*) in Finland: Conservation versus Hunting*

However, in 2010 the population was estimated to be 5,000–6,000 [23]. Nationwide surveys have not been very reliable but the population growth is believed to have continued until 2017 [21] when the breeding population was between 7,000 and 9,000 pairs [17]. After that, the population has started to decrease up to 20% per year as the hunting pressure has been too heavy. According to hunting statistics, 8,700 Greylag Geese were killed in 2017, and 2018 before the end of July already

A total of 1037 Greylag Geese have been ringed in Finland between 1913–2019 (**Table 1**). Some 25 per cent of the recoveries have been made alive. The Finnish Greylag Geese migrate to central and western Europe, as far as the Mediterranean region. Three birds have even reached northern Africa, two in Algeria and one in Tunisia [15]. The longest distance, 3,774 km, was covered by a goose ringed at Liminka Bay near Oulu and shot in southern Spain. Hunting accounts for 92 per

No goose species can tolerate hunting pressure heavier than 20 per cent of the total population. In the case of Greylag Goose, this limit is now reached so the hunting should not be allowed from the fields in August before the normal hunting season. In 2018 almost 60 per cent of the Greylag Geese were hunted from the

Historically, the Pink-footed Goose was considered as a subspecies of *Anser fabalis* but based on the mitochondrial DNA studies it was classified as a separate

Two biogeographical populations of Pink-footed Geese have been recognised: The western Iceland/East Greenland population wintering in the British Isles and the eastern Svalbard population staging in Norway and wintering in Denmark, the Netherlands and Belgium. Especially the western population has increased dramatically, approximately 10-fold between the 1950s and 1999 when the population was estimated to be 200,000–250,000 [25]. The population trend in the UK shows a 124 per cent increase between 1992/93–2017/18 and 67 per cent increase from 2007/08–2017/18 [26]. The late UK winter population estimates have been well over

Similarly but only on the three-fold scale, the easter population has increased over the last decades on the high-arctic archipelago of Svalbard. In 1999 eastern population size was on the order of 32,000–37,000 individuals [28] when in 2011 it was already 80,000 [29]. Coinciding with the recent population increases, the wintering ranges of the western and eastern populations have come closer, possibly increasing the current rate of exchange between the populations [30]. The population increase and the change in the migration routes bring continuously more Pink-footed Geese in the Western part of Finland [17]. From the total European population of 80,000 birds, some 10,000 are estimated to migrate through

Finland. The largest flocks during the spring have been more than 2,000 birds [17]. The continued growth of the Svalbard population is a conservation success story, yet its increasing population size, along with other goose species, has progressively brought them into conflict with agricultural interests as well as having other environmental and social implications. In particular, an increase in conflicts has been noted in Norway during spring. Furthermore, there is concern about degradation of vulnerable tundra vegetation in Svalbard due to increasing goose grazing

Management plan [32] is aiming that the eastern population size should be around 60,000 ensuring sustainable hunting in Norway and Denmark. New

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.96863*

6,300 had been shot [21].

**5.4** *Anser brachyrhunchus*

fields [21].

species [24].

cent of the known death causes [15].

500,000; in 2015 even 537,000 birds [27].

*Management of the Barnacle Goose (*Branta leucopsis*) in Finland: Conservation versus Hunting DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.96863*

However, in 2010 the population was estimated to be 5,000–6,000 [23]. Nationwide surveys have not been very reliable but the population growth is believed to have continued until 2017 [21] when the breeding population was between 7,000 and 9,000 pairs [17]. After that, the population has started to decrease up to 20% per year as the hunting pressure has been too heavy. According to hunting statistics, 8,700 Greylag Geese were killed in 2017, and 2018 before the end of July already 6,300 had been shot [21].

A total of 1037 Greylag Geese have been ringed in Finland between 1913–2019 (**Table 1**). Some 25 per cent of the recoveries have been made alive. The Finnish Greylag Geese migrate to central and western Europe, as far as the Mediterranean region. Three birds have even reached northern Africa, two in Algeria and one in Tunisia [15]. The longest distance, 3,774 km, was covered by a goose ringed at Liminka Bay near Oulu and shot in southern Spain. Hunting accounts for 92 per cent of the known death causes [15].

No goose species can tolerate hunting pressure heavier than 20 per cent of the total population. In the case of Greylag Goose, this limit is now reached so the hunting should not be allowed from the fields in August before the normal hunting season. In 2018 almost 60 per cent of the Greylag Geese were hunted from the fields [21].

## **5.4** *Anser brachyrhunchus*

*Birds - Challenges and Opportunities for Business, Conservation and Research*

**Species Ringed Recoveries/Controls**

*Anser albifrons* 8 0 *Anser anser* 1037 581 *Anser brachyrhynchus* 40 27 *Anser erythropus* 167 65 *Anser fabalis* 1618 9103 *Anser indicus* 15 44 *Branta bernicla* 25 3 *Branta canadensis* 891 691 *Branta leucopsis* 3421 2458 *Branta ruficollis* 2 4

zone. This species shows a remarkable similarity in behaviour with the Greylag Goose and in the south, their breeding ranges are immediately adjacent [1]. White-fronted Goose does not breed in Finland but Siberian birds are seen in the country on migration, especially in autumn, sometimes in large flocks. The birds that migrate over Finland spend the winter around the North Sea [16]. The number of these migrants varies between 250,000 and 400,000 individuals [17]. Ringing results reveal that most of the breeding birds from western Greenland on their autumn migration cross both the interior of Greenland and the wide stretch of the Atlantic Ocean to winter in Ireland and western parts of Scotland and England [1]. Global estimates rank this goose the third most numerous goose in the world with some 3 million birds [17, 18]. Hunting is popular and given the size of the population the daily bag limit for White-fronted Geese was recently increased from two to three birds in the US Central and Mississippi Flyways [18]. Japan has the largest population of Greater White-fronted Geese wintering in eastern Asia [19]. Recent flocks of up to 100,000 birds are starting similar discussion on agriculture damages

The Greylag Goose is the ancestor of the domestic goose and in the historic times, the species nested over the whole of Europe, and even in northeastern Algeria [1]. Still, in the 18th century, the Greylag Goose nested on all the sea coasts of Finland. The increased traffic, cultivation of the suitable breeding grounds and direct nest disturbance were thought to be responsible for the great reduction in numbers of this species [11]. Therefore, it has ceased to breed over the great part of the earlier distribution area. Already in the 1920s, this goose was not breeding regularly in the Gulf of Finland and the bottom of the population was probably in the 1940s when only three pairs nested in the Gulf of Finland and 20 pairs in the Archipelago Sea [11]. After the species was given full protection in 1947 the slow increase started and in 1950 the population was estimated to be 150 pairs and 1955 already 250 pairs [11]. Then Greylag Geese started to return to breed along the entire coastal stretch of Finland but the majority of the population was found in the Gulf of Bothnia. The population kept growing and the full protection was withdrawn in 1960 [21]. In 1974 alarm bells were ringed again:" The populations of the Greylag Goose are alarmingly small and may be in serious need of protection" [22].

as the Barnacle Geese are causing in Finland [20].

**130**

**5.3** *Anser anser*

**Table 1.**

*Goose ringing in Finland 1913–2019 [14].*

Historically, the Pink-footed Goose was considered as a subspecies of *Anser fabalis* but based on the mitochondrial DNA studies it was classified as a separate species [24].

Two biogeographical populations of Pink-footed Geese have been recognised: The western Iceland/East Greenland population wintering in the British Isles and the eastern Svalbard population staging in Norway and wintering in Denmark, the Netherlands and Belgium. Especially the western population has increased dramatically, approximately 10-fold between the 1950s and 1999 when the population was estimated to be 200,000–250,000 [25]. The population trend in the UK shows a 124 per cent increase between 1992/93–2017/18 and 67 per cent increase from 2007/08–2017/18 [26]. The late UK winter population estimates have been well over 500,000; in 2015 even 537,000 birds [27].

Similarly but only on the three-fold scale, the easter population has increased over the last decades on the high-arctic archipelago of Svalbard. In 1999 eastern population size was on the order of 32,000–37,000 individuals [28] when in 2011 it was already 80,000 [29]. Coinciding with the recent population increases, the wintering ranges of the western and eastern populations have come closer, possibly increasing the current rate of exchange between the populations [30]. The population increase and the change in the migration routes bring continuously more Pink-footed Geese in the Western part of Finland [17]. From the total European population of 80,000 birds, some 10,000 are estimated to migrate through Finland. The largest flocks during the spring have been more than 2,000 birds [17]. The continued growth of the Svalbard population is a conservation success story, yet its increasing population size, along with other goose species, has progressively brought them into conflict with agricultural interests as well as having other environmental and social implications. In particular, an increase in conflicts has been noted in Norway during spring. Furthermore, there is concern about degradation of vulnerable tundra vegetation in Svalbard due to increasing goose grazing intensities [31].

Management plan [32] is aiming that the eastern population size should be around 60,000 ensuring sustainable hunting in Norway and Denmark. New

scientific evaluation could change the target population size following 'wise use' principals. The western population is huntable during open season in Iceland and the UK. The harvest rates are recorded in Iceland where ca. 15,000–24,000 Pinkfooted Geese were shot annually between 2008–2019 [33]. The UK statistics are not so well kept (no bag reporting system in place to monitor hunting) but the indirect estimation of the Pink-footed Geese hunting in Britain indicated that about 25,000 birds have been shot annually [34]. Obviously, these hunting numbers had no negative impact on the Pink-footed Geese population as it still kept growing rapidly (67% in the last 10 years as shown above).

## **5.5** *Anser caerulescens*

The Snow Goose is native North American species but occasionally some individuals stray into Europe. Birds found in Europe are known to have nested in several countries and, for example, in the UK a few nestings have been witnessed almost every year in the 21st century [35]. In Finland, Snow Goose breeding was ensured for three consecutive years in the same Kirkkonummi archipelago between 1982 and 1984. In the 1980s, the species was in Finland more common than ever before or later. During the Atlas period, 2006–2010 only one breeding time sighting was made in Hailuoto [36]. **Table 2** shows that between 2008 and 2019 Snow Geese have been recorded 0–9 times annually, and no further breedings are known.

### **5.6** *Anser erythropus*

The Lesser White-fronted Goose resembles a small form of the White-fronted Goose, and undoubtedly these species are closely related, but the degree of mutual relationship is not clear [1]. The Lesser White-fronted Goose was once globally a common bird and the main wintering grounds at the Caspian Sea in Iran used to have at least 50,000 birds in the 1930s. In 1980 the amount went down to 4,000 to 5,000 individuals [15]. Enormous massacres of these birds have taken place in the wintering grounds in Japan, in consequence of which the species has become rare in eastern Siberia [1].

Before 2nd World War, the breeding population in Finland was estimated to be 2,100 individuals [17] when in 1955 same estimation was 200 pairs [11] and 1980 only 10–12 pairs [15]. The whole Fennoscandian population was earlier 10,000 pairs and was estimated to be only 15–25 pairs in 2008 [23]. The reasons for this drastic decrease are not well known but some changes in agriculture practices like the use of pesticides and strong industrial development in the wintering grounds are mentioned [23]. Despite the heavy decrease, the hunting was banned only in 1969 when there were no geese left for hunting.

**Table 1** shows that 167 birds have ringed between 1913 and 2019. Three birds ringed as goslings in 1994–1995 were shot in Russia (one) and Kazakhstan (two) during their first autumn. The main cause of death has been hunting but only 11 wild birds have been ringed before 2011 [15]. One adult bird ringed in May 2006, in Norway was shot in Kerkinilake, an internationally known bird and biodiversity area (IBA), in Greece despite hunting is illegal in that area [37].

## **5.7** *Anser fabalis*

The taxonomy of the Bean Goose is still not fully resolved but current view divides the species into four subspecies: *A.f.fabalis, A.f.middendorffii, A.f.rossicus* and *A.f.serrirostris* [38]. The subspecies are also grouped into breeding forms that inhabit different habitats in Fennoscandia and Russia. The tundra breeding forms

**133**

**Species**

A.c. A.i. B.b. B.r.

15

54

14 *A.c. = Anser caerulescens; A.i. = Anser indicus, B.b. = Branta bernicla hrota, and B.r. = Branta ruficollis.*

*2A good year - 15 birds seen in 2011 [62] – the same report mentions that 2006–2008 was seen 40, 52 and 45 Anser indicus in Finland.*

*42009 was a low year for the Red-breasted Goose – 5 records (mentions that 2008 15, 2007 9, 2006 7 and 2005 6 records).*

**Table 2.**

*Rare goose recorded in Finland between 2009–2019 [54–65].*

5

18

16 *1Very good year for the Bar-headed Geese with 45 records, very early in the spring and late in the autumn, including first sure breeding in Finland. Kemijärvi parents with 4 young ones 14/06/2008 [66].*

*3Bar-headed Geese are now interpreted to be of natural origin, monthly numbers being April – 1, May – 8, June – 4, July – 3, August – 2, September – 11 and October 8. Liminka 6 individuals 13.9–1.10.*

18

12

21

44

18

40

9

4

6

15

8

4

10

3

4

7

8

3

1 451

27

13

152

11

9

8

15

14

7

9

113

2

5

5

9

2

2

5

3

4

4

0

**2008**

**2009**

**2010**

**2011**

**2012**

**2013**

**2014**

**2015**

**2016**

**2017**

**2018**

**2019**

*Management of the Barnacle Goose (*Branta leucopsis*) in Finland: Conservation versus Hunting*

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.96863*


*42009 was a low year for the Red-breasted Goose – 5 records (mentions that 2008 15, 2007 9, 2006 7 and 2005 6 records).*

**Table 2.** *Rare goose recorded in Finland between 2009–2019 [54–65].*

*Birds - Challenges and Opportunities for Business, Conservation and Research*

(67% in the last 10 years as shown above).

**5.5** *Anser caerulescens*

**5.6** *Anser erythropus*

eastern Siberia [1].

**5.7** *Anser fabalis*

when there were no geese left for hunting.

scientific evaluation could change the target population size following 'wise use' principals. The western population is huntable during open season in Iceland and the UK. The harvest rates are recorded in Iceland where ca. 15,000–24,000 Pinkfooted Geese were shot annually between 2008–2019 [33]. The UK statistics are not so well kept (no bag reporting system in place to monitor hunting) but the indirect estimation of the Pink-footed Geese hunting in Britain indicated that about 25,000 birds have been shot annually [34]. Obviously, these hunting numbers had no negative impact on the Pink-footed Geese population as it still kept growing rapidly

The Snow Goose is native North American species but occasionally some individuals stray into Europe. Birds found in Europe are known to have nested in several countries and, for example, in the UK a few nestings have been witnessed almost every year in the 21st century [35]. In Finland, Snow Goose breeding was ensured for three consecutive years in the same Kirkkonummi archipelago between 1982 and 1984. In the 1980s, the species was in Finland more common than ever before or later. During the Atlas period, 2006–2010 only one breeding time sighting was made in Hailuoto [36]. **Table 2** shows that between 2008 and 2019 Snow Geese have been

The Lesser White-fronted Goose resembles a small form of the White-fronted Goose, and undoubtedly these species are closely related, but the degree of mutual relationship is not clear [1]. The Lesser White-fronted Goose was once globally a common bird and the main wintering grounds at the Caspian Sea in Iran used to have at least 50,000 birds in the 1930s. In 1980 the amount went down to 4,000 to 5,000 individuals [15]. Enormous massacres of these birds have taken place in the wintering grounds in Japan, in consequence of which the species has become rare in

Before 2nd World War, the breeding population in Finland was estimated to be 2,100 individuals [17] when in 1955 same estimation was 200 pairs [11] and 1980 only 10–12 pairs [15]. The whole Fennoscandian population was earlier 10,000 pairs and was estimated to be only 15–25 pairs in 2008 [23]. The reasons for this drastic decrease are not well known but some changes in agriculture practices like the use of pesticides and strong industrial development in the wintering grounds are mentioned [23]. Despite the heavy decrease, the hunting was banned only in 1969

**Table 1** shows that 167 birds have ringed between 1913 and 2019. Three birds ringed as goslings in 1994–1995 were shot in Russia (one) and Kazakhstan (two) during their first autumn. The main cause of death has been hunting but only 11 wild birds have been ringed before 2011 [15]. One adult bird ringed in May 2006, in Norway was shot in Kerkinilake, an internationally known bird and biodiversity

The taxonomy of the Bean Goose is still not fully resolved but current view divides the species into four subspecies: *A.f.fabalis, A.f.middendorffii, A.f.rossicus* and *A.f.serrirostris* [38]. The subspecies are also grouped into breeding forms that inhabit different habitats in Fennoscandia and Russia. The tundra breeding forms

area (IBA), in Greece despite hunting is illegal in that area [37].

recorded 0–9 times annually, and no further breedings are known.

**132**

(*rossicus* and *serrirostris*) inhabit open tundra when the taiga forms (*fabalis* and *middendorffii*) inhabit open or wooded mires. Two forms differ slightly in colour, size and shape, especially bill colouration and morphology but the visual identification of each subspecies is not easy. Thus, the subspecies are not recorded in goose counts or hunting statistics [38].

The Bean Goose breeds mainly in northern parts of Finland, but occasionally nests have been found in bogs in Central Finland. The Finnish population estimated at 1,000–2,500 pairs [39]. The population has declined in the south due to heavy hunting from the fields [40]. A total of 1,618 Bean Geese have been ringed. The main cause of death is hunting, 89 per cent of the known causes of death. Twenty geese were predated. Out of the nine known predators, Golden Eagle is to be accounted for eight cases and White-tailed Eagle for one case [15].

The Taiga Bean Goose population was very low several years and the hunting was banned six years ago. Last year hunting started again in Lapland 20–27 August but only one bird per hunter and season are allowed and a bag reporting has to be made for each bird [40]. In the eastern part of the country, Tundra Bean Goose is much more common than the Taiga Bean Goose due to the migrating birds from Russia. These birds can be hunted from October to November but the catch has to be reported like in Lapland [40]. The genomic analysis has shown that over half of the Finnish Bean Goose bag consists of the declining Taiga Been Geese, which is far too many considering the fast decline of this subspecies [38]. The hunting of the Tundra Bean Goose with a large and stable population could be acceptable as long as it does not affect the Taiga Bean Goose population [38].
