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N.D. (AP) – North Dakota’s early Canada goose hunting season opens Wednesday.

The early season is aimed at reducing local numbers of Canada geese. The state Game and Fish Department says the statewide population of the geese remains high despite liberalized regulations the past several years including larger bag limits and expanded shooting hours.

Limits for this year’s early season are 15 birds daily and 30 in possession. Shooting hours are half an hour before sunrise until sunset.

The season ends in the Missouri River zone on Sept. 7. It closes in the rest of the state on Sept. 15.