Since 1990, the population of resident geese in New Jersey has more than doubled, to more than 70,000.

In recent years, the state has allowed limited hunting of resident geese in a few areas.

Few were concerned about how many resident geese were hunted.

Egg addling does seem to be reducing the numbers of these "resident" geese - albeit slowly.

It has too many deer and resident geese, too many ticks.

The birds look identical, but the resident geese are a bit bigger than the migrants, the experts say.

The resident geese have few natural predators, and "seem to stay out of danger better than other birds," Mr. Cole said.

The Massachusetts special season, which began Jan. 21, is aimed at reducing surplus populations of resident geese.

And last year we didn't have any resident geese at all.

Last year's lack of snow and cold was thoroughly unsatisfying, the seasonal equivalent of resident geese.