These indices should continue because they provide valuable long-term trend data at the continental level. We believe that numbers of geese should be estimated on the breeding areas wherever possible. We propose that numbers of snow geese in each colony be estimated once every 3 years from aerial photography or from helicopters flown on stratified transects. Due to lack of consistent funding, only a few helicopter surveys have been flown and aerial photography has been sporadic. Some eastern Arctic colonies have not been surveyed since 1978.
Surveys conducted with banding are an option to consider for remote colonies.
August helicopter transects can provide estimates of breeding geese, nonbreeding geese, proportion with young and young per successful adult. Stratified transects flown from helicopters also provide opportunities for banding random samples. Coordination of August surveys and banding would eliminate one or two additional expeditions to remote Arctic colonies. We propose that the permanent plots established around James and Hudson Bays be expanded throughout the Arctic in coastal tundra habitats. The annual evaluation report should describe objectives, strategies and activities and provide preliminary description of progress toward goals.