The Department of Natural Resources asks individuals who come across Canadian geese, mourning doves or wood ducks that have been banded to report that information.

"When we band geese, we attach an aluminum band to one leg. Since each band has a unique number on it, this allows biologists to identify each bird that has ever been banded, if it is captured again or harvested by a hunter." DNR waterfowl biologist Adam Phelps said.

When the DNR bands a bird it plots that point on a map. If the bird is caught again the following year, harvested by a hunter, hit by a car or if a birder reads the band number through binoculars and reports the band, the program has another point on a map for that bird.

Indiana's breeding geese move around much more than most people think. Birds banded in June have been harvested by hunters from Idaho to Delaware and from Hudson Bay in Canada to Alabama.

"Two points give us a line. With thousands of such lines, we can develop movement patterns for these geese or other birds." Phelps said.

If a banded bird is found, report it to the national Bird Banding Laboratory by calling (800) 327-2263 or at reportband. gov.