Whatcom County, WA – (MyBellinghamNow.com) More opportunities are being granted to hunt brant geese in Whatcom and Skagit counties this winter.

The state Department of Fish and Wildlife made the announcement Thursday after reporting stable winter brant counts in the area.

The department is allowing for continued scheduled hunting of the geese on January 20, 24 and 27 in Whatcom County.

There will also be a three-day hunting season for the geese in Skagit County on those days as well.

Brant are a migratory species of goose with distict brown and black body feathers and striking white flank feathers.

Recent counts have indicated that Skagit has nearly 50 more than the minimum of 3,000 birds, which is the reason for the limited hunting opportunities.

Brant hunters need to have a valid migratory bird authorization and brant harvest report card to take part.