ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — State wildlife officials say the population of Canada geese appears to be increasing, even though Minnesota hunters killed more of the birds than any other waterfowl last year.

The state Department of Natural Resources estimates there were 434,000 Canada geese in the state this spring. A St. Paul Pioneer Press report says the DNR’s goal is to have a population of 250,000 Canada geese.

Hunters have been out in force, but the Canada geese population continues to thrive. Federal figures say Minnesota hunters killed nearly 239,000 Canada geese last year. The DNR also issued a record 200 permits for farmers to kill geese out of season, up from 160 last year, resulting in as many as 1,500 geese being shot.

Wildlife managers are considering changes to hunting policies that might help bring the population down further.

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