Top Gun Guide Service

Rochester, MN Goose Info

2011-11-29T14:21:00.000-08:00

eese Management

On January 29^th the Rochester City Council reviewed information from the City staff, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Olmsted County Health Department regarding geese in Rochester.

Links to some of the information reviewed

Three Categories of Geese in Rochester

Based on information that we obtained from the DNR, there are three different categories of geese in Rochester.
Migratory Geese
The migratory geese are in Rochester in the September through February time frame. Migratory geese in Rochester number between 20,000 to 35,000 at their peak in November of each year. That range has remained fairly constant since 1970, but was considerably lower prior to 1970. The highest peak was 40,000 in November of 2005, but the peak numbers for 2000 through 2004 were considerably lower. Migratory geese are federally protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. None of the steps either agreed to be undertaken or discussed by the City Council will have any direct impact on the migratory goose flock.
Molt Migrants
According to the DNR there are approximately 3000 young adult “molt migrants” in Rochester during the summer
Resident GeeseAccording to the DNR, there are between 1,000 to 2,000 resident geese that reside in Rochester on a year round basis. This number has been increasing between 10% to 20% per year, despite recent changes in hunting regulations to permit an earlier hunting season in SE Minnesota. At the current rate of annual growth, the resident goose flock may double every 6 to 7 years if steps are not taken. Not that long ago, the number of resident geese in Rochester was in the 200 to 300 range.

Concerns Relating To Resident Geese

The main concerns that have been raised with the City elected officials relate to the impact of the now higher number of resident geese on water quality in lakes and streams, their impact on the enjoyment of citizens for park areas, and property-owner concerns about property damage and the inability to enjoy their property. These concerns are heightened by the knowledge that unless some steps are taken, the resident goose flock will keep increasing annually and could become a much more significant problem in the future if no action is taken at this time.

These concerns about resident geese are not unique to Rochester. A number of communities throughout Minnesota have taken steps to address and reduce or at least stabilize their resident goose population. In several communities, these steps have included more aggressive approaches, such as round-ups of resident geese, than have been authorized by the Rochester elected officials.
The federal government has recognized that the management of resident goose populations has become an issue nationwide. In 2006, the Department of the Interior adopted and published 50 CFR “Migratory Bird Hunting and Permits; Regulations for Managing Resident Canada Goose Populations: Final Rule” (pdf). This rule is still is in the process of being adopted in Minnesota. The following quote is from that document and the Federal Department of the Interior:

“We believe that resident Canada goose populations must be reduced, more effectively managed, and controlled to reduce goose-related damage.”

That report also notes that in the early 1960’s there were an estimated 63,000 Giant Canada Geese, the predominant subspecies in Rochester. That number has grown to 1.5 million geese in all the Mississippi flyway states and is growing at the rate of 6% annually.

Resident Geese Management - Steps Taken by Rochester

None of the steps taken or discussed by the Rochester elected officials will directly affect the migratory goose flock. However, some of the steps that will be discussed below, such as changes to shoreline areas and removal of the feeders at Silver Lake, may have an indirect effect of dispersing some of the migratory geese to other areas. The focus of the steps agreed to by Rochester officials is the resident year-round goose flock, in addition to the obligations that the City has relating to water quality.

Re-create a natural shoreline buffer at Silver Lake (pdf). The City of Rochester has a responsibility and obligation under federal and state storm water requirements to restore and maintain clean water. The re-creation of a natural shoreline at Silver Lake would consist of a 30 to 50 foot buffer of native plants that will intercept pollutants from runoff. An additional benefit from this project may be to discourage the almost feed-lot like concentration of geese at Silver Lake. We are not assuming a major decrease in the number of geese at Silver Lake, but the City elected officials believe this a reasonable step to help meet water quality clean-up goals. Design of this project is underway with planting this spring.
Maintain native plantings around City storm water ponds. Resident geese and property-owners have been increasingly coming into conflict as more open water due to storm water ponds increases in our neighborhoods. This problem is increased when adjacent property-owners mow on the City land, especially when mowing extends all the way to the water’s edge. A buffer strip of native plantings is an effective pollutant filter and can act as a barrier to help keep geese from adjacent property. While we have seen evidence in Rochester that many of our resident geese are undeterred by native plant buffers, it appears reasonable to restrict mowing on City land adjacent to stormwater ponds both as a water quality improvement and for the value it may have in reducing geese/homeowner conflicts.
Eliminate the geese feeders at Silver Lake. In one of our earliest communications with the DNR, it was suggested that the simplest and most cost-effective method to reduce the concentration of geese at Silver Lake would be to remove the feeders. The City elected officials and the Park Board have agreed and the feeders will be removed at the end of the current winter season. Although, feeding the geese at Silver Lake is fun for many people, it is not healthy for the geese and it has helped create an unacceptable concentration of geese at Silver Lake that has rendered much of the park area unsanitary and virtually unusable. Non-natural foods, including excessive amounts of corn, can cause disease and an unsightly deformity known as Angel Wing (pdf) in geese. It also may contribute to the increasing number of resident year-round geese in Rochester.
Resident Geese – Egg Shaking. There is the potential for communities and private landowners to secure permits to shake resident geese eggs to reduce the potential for overpopulation of resident geese. There have been some concerns and comments over this approach and some people have believed this is going to be a widespread citywide effort. Nothing is further from the truth. The City officials have agreed to authorize the staff to work with the DNR on a permit for a specific group of property-owners at only one pond in the city. The purpose of this limited test/trial is to obtain information to determine if this is a workable approach that could be considered at additional locations in the future if the above steps do not adequately address the increasing resident goose flock population. This limited trial/test will only be conducted if a permit can be secured from the DNR under provisions that allow that activity to take place and with proper volunteer training. The city officials have noted that in the future the rules adopted by the Federal Department of the Interior may permit private landowners to obtain a permit for their own property without the involvement of the City.
Rochester Refuge – Early Season Hunt. Under current DNR rules, goose hunting is prohibited within the Rochester Wildlife Refuge. The Rochester Refuge was created by the State DNR and the rules and regulations that apply to it are established by the State. The DNR staff, on a preliminary basis, has indicated that an early season hunt within the Refuge, consistent with the early season hunt outside the Refuge, may provide benefits in reducing the resident goose flock. The City elected officials have authorized the staff to work with the DNR on further developing that concept. Some portions of the Refuge are not within the City limits of Rochester. Changes in the DNR regulations to permit a hunt within the Refuge but outside the City would be solely under DNR control. If, in working with the DNR, a few select areas within the City are identified that could safely accommodate goose hunting, those areas would not be approved without further discussion with the City Council.
Education – The DNR already has information posted on its website with tips City residents can use to “live with geese” (pdf). They are also developing a brochure that specifically addresses the Rochester goose population. In conjunction with the development of the Silver Lake Shoreline Buffer project, interpretive signage will be developed to explain the consequences of feeding geese.

It is the hope of the Rochester elected officials that these steps taken in combination will maintain the resident goose flock at current levels or slow its growth. It may be unrealistic to assume that they would be effective enough to reduce the current resident goose population to former levels. The steps that have been listed above have had the support and concurrence of the Minnesota DNR, the Olmsted County Health Department and others as reasonable steps to take at this time. The City will be working with the DNR to monitor the resident goose population numbers to determine how effective these steps may be. There are certainly differing opinions on the relative advantages or disadvantages of having a large resident goose flock in Rochester. Some would want the City to take no steps and allow the resident goose flock to increase and double and triple in number in future years. Some would prefer stronger measures to reduce the resident goose flock to former levels. It is not an issue on which we will all agree. However, it is the City elected officials’ concern that complete inaction by the City at this time will only compound potential future concerns if the resident goose flock were to keep increasing at a rate of 20% annually. These measures will have to be annual on-going efforts to manage resident goose populations within the City limits. Controlling the urban goose population has proven very difficult in other areas, which is why the US Fish and Wildlife Service have approved the use of such a broad suite of control measures.

Pre-Season Prep: 7 Steps for Success

2011-08-25T14:08:00.000-07:00

Off-season prep to ensure a great opening day
By John Pollman, ducks.org

Like an early-morning wood duck buzzing the decoys, the 2011-12 waterfowl season will be here before we know it. Taking the proper steps in August will make opening day that much more enjoyable. While the to-do list is long, these seven steps will prove essential to a successful waterfowling season.

1. Preventive Maintenance for Your Shotgun

Dave Reckoff, gunsmith at Kjergaard Sports near Lake Benton, Minn., sees a lot of waterfowl hunting guns come through the shop each year. Most problems, he says, are ones that could have been prevented.

Reckoff says that a good place to start is to make sure that your removable choke tube is just that: removable. He recommends applying a choke tube lube or other anti-seize compound to the threads and occasionally throughout the season, loosen the tube to make sure that it has not locked up.

"I can't tell you how many guns come in here in the middle of the season with stuck choke tubes," says Reckoff. "And with probably half of them, they're not coming out without doing some damage to the barrel."

Reckoff also says that he has discovered a pattern with problems involving the two most popular kinds of shotguns used in waterfowling.

When a hunter comes in with a semi-automatic shotgun that won't cycle correctly in the field, Reckoff says the problem is usually related to using the wrong kind of lubricant.

"Especially later in the season, guys are using a lubricant that, when it gets cold, the gun freezes up or it gets so stiff it won't cycle a shell," says Reckoff. "Or sometimes they'll use too much, and the recoil mechanism in the stock or under the forearm of the gun will hydrolock."

2. Clean Gear is Productive Gear

New York waterfowler and Avery Pro-staff member, Mike Bard is a stickler for making sure his hunting gear is in proper running order, especially those that he pulls behind his truck. When it comes to trailers and boats, surprises are not a good thing.

"Prior to the season I always like to run through everything on my enclosed and boat trailers, making sure to check all of the lights, wiring, brakes, jacks hinges, tires – including the spare – and grease the bearings," says Bard. "I'll do the same thing in my hunting boats, and I also replace the spark plugs and top off the oil reservoir on my outboards."

As for those decoys that haven't seen the light of day since the close of last year's waterfowl season – Bard says to clean ‘em up.

"Clean decoys are more realistic and show up better, in my opinion," he says.

3. Take Care of Man's Best Friend

As a veterinarian in South Dakota, the majority of Dr. Joe Spoo's four-legged clients are of the hunting variety.

Spoo says that the number-one problem with the hunting dogs that come in to his office for their pre-season check-up is that they are out of shape.

"We expect these dogs to go from couch potatoes to world-class athletes overnight," says Spoo. "This isn't practical and definitely isn't safe for the dog. Hunting dogs love what they do to the point that they will literally run themselves to death."

Spoo says that heat, treacherous water conditions, and a number of long retrieves are just a few of the situations that can get a dog in trouble, and the hunter needs to be the thinking, rational member of the team.

Spoo says that pre-season training sessions and routine exercise are the only way to make sure that your retriever is in proper shape come opening day. But if your dog is not a hunting performance level, Spoo highly recommends taking things slowly during the first few weeks of the season.

"This may mean that your first outings aren't as long or as productive," says Spoo. "However, it could mean the difference between life and death for your hunting partner."

4. Introduce new gear to your hunting retriever

Surprises are great if you're talking about birthday gifts or Halloween pranks, but not so much when it comes to new gear for your waterfowl retriever.

"If you've picked up any new hunting gear for your dog, be sure to introduce him to it prior to the season," says Clint Roby, an Avery Pro-Staff member, dog trainer and waterfowl hunter from Missouri. "This will eliminate any confusion when hunting season rolls around."

Roby says introducing a new layout blind or dog stand to your retriever can also be the perfect time to reinforce commands essential to maintaining peace in the duck blind.

What you don't want, Roby says, is to have opening morning turn into a training session.

"There are enough other distracting activities going on in the field that you don't want to be fighting your dog over something new," says Roby. "These are issues that can be eliminated before the season begins."

5. Build confidence with sporting clays

Dogs aren't the only ones in need of a refresher course; Roby recommends hunters use the weeks leading up to opening day to visit a sporting-clays course.

Targets on a sporting-clays course tend to replicate realistic hunting situations, says Roby, and the more comfortable you get with shooting a small, 4-inch target screaming across the course, the more comfortable and confident you will be in the field.

The "aim small, miss small" attitude adopted by many shooters translates well to a waterfowl hunter who focuses on the head of a decoying bird, Roby adds.

"By focusing on the green head of a mallard or the white cheek-patch of a honker you are concentrating more on a target rather than on the bird as a whole," says Roby. "And if your aiming point is the head of the bird, you are increasing your lead by 6 to 12 inches, which lessens your chance of shooting behind or crippling the bird."

6. It's never too early to start scouting

You don't have to wait for the season's opening bell to start scouting for birds. In fact, a little time spent scouting in the off-season can save a lot of time come fall.

For New York hunter and Avery Pro-Staff member Mike Bard, a quick trip during the summer months to visit with farmers who typically allow him to hunt gives him an idea of what their plans are for the land. That information helps Bard make a plan of his own for fall.

"I like to know what crops are planted—whether beans, silage corn, picking corn, sweet corn, small grains, wheat, barley or alfalfa—and when they are likely to be taken out of the field," Bard says. "It gives me an idea as to when I should watch a farm or specific field within the season, based on weather conditions and the migration."

During his trips to visit with landowners, Bard also keeps tabs on the progress of locally hatched waterfowl, especially Canada geese. Based on past observations of where those birds will end up in late summer and into early fall Bard can narrow down which fields he should watch when the season opens in September.

"This is a big time and fuel saver," says Bard.

7. Use patience when choosing permanent blind locations

If you're planning to set up a permanent blind on a new hunting lease or property, Tony Vandemore, guide and part owner of Habitat Flats in central Missouri, recommends taking your time.

"One of the biggest things in selecting a location for a permanent blind is to not get in a hurry," says Vandemore. "I'll rarely put a new blind up in an area that we have just developed; you really need to wait and see which spots the birds like on that farm."

Instead, Vandemore will watch a new property for a year while hunting it with MOMarsh layout boats or ground blinds. After the season is over, he can make a decision for placing a permanent blind based on which area the birds favored.

Vandemore adds that when setting the blind, he is ever cognizant of the sun and the cover surrounding the blind. In a small timber hole, Vandemore will set the blind on the east side so the sun is always at his back in the morning. For pits in open areas, Vandemore runs blinds north to south, which allows groups to hunt the west side of the blind in the morning and the east side in the afternoon.

"For me, there is nothing more frustrating than looking into the sun while I am hunting," says Vandemore.

2011 Waterfowl Survey: Duck Numbers Remain Strong

2011-08-08T11:06:00.000-07:00

WATERFOWL POPULATION EXPLODES – EXCELLENT NESTING CONDITIONS
Courtesy of ducks.org

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – June 30, 2011 – The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released its preliminary report today on breeding ducks and habitats, based on surveys conducted in May and early June. Total duck populations were estimated at 45.6 million breeding ducks on the surveyed area. This estimate represents an 11 percent increase over last year’s estimate of 40.9 million birds and is 35 percent above the 1955-2010 long-term average. This was only the fifth time in the survey’s history that the total duck population exceeded 40 million.

“The BEST waterfowl habitat conditions and breeding duck population levels since recors keeping began in 1955.

Habitat conditions across the U.S. and Canadian prairies and parklands were considered excellent. Further north, wetland conditions in most boreal regions of Alaska and northern Canada were good to very good at the time of the survey. During the survey and into early summer, many regions important to breeding ducks continued to receive significant snow melt and further precipitation, which could increase later breeding efforts and ensure brood survival. If these wet conditions continue, prospects going into the winter and possibly into spring 2012 will be favorable as well.

In addition to extensive grassland cover, one of the most important elements in duck breeding success is the amount of water present in portions of prairie and parkland Canada and the north-central United States. Total pond counts for the United States and Canada combined showed 8.1 million ponds, a 22 percent increase from last year’s estimate and 62 percent above the long-term average. This was the second time in the survey’s history that ponds exceeded 8 million.

Of the 10 species traditionally reported, eight were similar to or increased in number from 2010. Two species (scaup and American wigeon) remained below their long-term average. Northern shovelers, blue-winged teal and northern pintails were bright spots on this year’s survey. Northern shovelers and bluewings reached record highs (4.6 and 8.9 million, respectively), and northern pintail numbers surpassed 4 million for the first time since 1980. Scaup numbers were similar to 2010 and remain below their long-term averages. Only three species—scaup, northern pintail and American wigeon—remain below North American Waterfowl Management Plan population goals.

As good as the news is this week, waterfowl and prairie habitats continue to face significant long-term threats. Grassland habitat is under siege on many fronts and is being lost at alarming rates. Key public policies such as the Farm Bill and North American Wetlands Conservation Act will need to continue to focus on conservation for the good news to carry into the future. That’s our challenge in years to come.”

Nesting cover across the Prairie Pothole Region continues to decline, particularly on the U.S. side of the border. During the survey, observers noted many large tracts of former Conservation Reserve Program grasslands that had been converted to cropland since last year or were in the process of being plowed. Expiring CRP contracts and high commodity prices driven by biofuel demands and other economic factors are pushing these conversions. North Dakota alone has lost 22% of its CRP acres since 2007. Experts project that another 387,000 acres will be lost in 2010-2011 and more than 1 million acres will be lost in 2012-13. The continued loss of critical nesting cover will negatively impact the future of breeding ducks.
As always, fall weather and habitat conditions along migration routes will have a big impact on migration chronology and local hunting success.

In light of a very favorable breeding ground report, it’s still quite a while before we can put out the decoys. We will have to monitor how broods fare this summer and what impact summer flooding has on many migration and wintering areas before we get better insight into what to expect this fall.”

The FWS spring surveys provide the scientific basis for many management programs across the continent including the setting of hunting regulations. The four Flyway Councils will meet in late July to recommend and adopt the season structure and bag limits for 2011-12. Individual states will make their specific selections within a federal framework of season length, bag limit, and outside dates. Hunters should check their state’s rules for final dates.

Bird Band – Duck Band – Goose Band

2011-05-17T08:18:00.000-07:00

By PJ Maguire
Courtesy of Nodak Outdoors

Every year the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service and agencies ran by the states, place leg bands on a variety of birds across the country. Migratory birds, like ducks, geese, and most recently doves are some of the most commonly banded birds. Harvesting a bird sporting a leg band is a special joy for waterfowl hunters.

After harvesting a banded bird, many waterfowl hunters place the band on their call lanyards. “It’s like earning a buckeye sticker and putting it on your football helmet. It’s a badge of honor.” Explained Lyle Sinner, an avid waterfowl hunter and Fargo, ND native.

Traditionally one must harvest a lot of ducks and geese before shooting a banded bird. Therefore, it is assumed that if a waterfowl hunter has a lot of bands, he or she has shot a lot of birds. But most of the guys with lanyards full of bands on television will probably tell you they hunted them near banding sites. Some inside information will definately up your odds. Some people can hunt their entire life and never shoot a bird that is banded. Other waterfowl hunters have harvested dozens of banded birds. It all depends on where you hunt and how many birds get banded in your area. However, you could potentially shoot a banded bird anytime, in any location.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife service uses data reported from leg bands to track the flight paths of migratory birds. Bands are also useful in determining harvest information and life span of specific bird species. A few years ago I witnessed my buddy take a banded drake mallard that turned out to be 12 years old. The mallard was banded in North Dakota about 50 miles from where it was shot. Some of the same ducks from the area have been reported in most U.S. states and even countries as far away as Russia.

Each band has a unique number that identifies the species of bird which is tied to the life history. When you call in a band number, an operator will ask you a few simple questions like the date and location of where the bird was harvested. You will receive a certificate in the mail containing your name and information on the banded bird.
For most waterfowlers, checking for duck bands is the first thing on their mind when picking up a bird.

Along with regular bands, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service puts ‘reward bands’ on some birds. Usually they put these leg bands on adult birds. Reward bands are typically worth any where from 25 to 100 dollars. The government sends you a check only after you report the information regarding the band. Getting paid to hunt, that would be a nice bonus for anyone.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife service are not the only ones that band birds. Some hunt clubs put leg bands on birds they release. Pheasants Forever, an organization for the preservation of pheasants, sometimes bands pheasants that they release.

One of the rarer forms of waterfowl bands are Jack Miner bands. These bands, banded by the Miner family in Ontario, have unique bible verses engraved into the band. Jack Miner bands are sacred to most waterfowl hunters, and sadly to some they just have a price tag for Ebay.

Nicknames for leg bands are a common place among my friends. They are often referred to as: jewelry, bling-bling, shine, hardware or leg irons. We refer to hunters who shoot a lot of banded birds as having “the force.”

Roughly 3.1 million leg bands have been reported to date. That is pretty small considering that since 1904 about 58 million birds have been banded in North America. Both of these numbers represent hundreds of different species of birds.

Across the nation hunters shoot banded birds every year, in just about every location. They make the hunt just a little bit more memorable and leave the hunter with a little souvenir. The first thing I do when I retrieve a harvested bird is check for a band. I encourage you to do the same. Band information should be reported to 1-800-327-BAND.

South Dakota Migration Update - March 31st, 2011

2011-03-31T09:24:00.000-07:00

Courtesy of huntthenorth.com

Matt Kostka reported that they have been hunting the Huron region and over the last 10 days they have seen the highest concentrations of snow geese in that area than he has ever seen in one area before. Matt said due to that, the hunting has been extremely tough this past week, trying to compete with the massive flocks in the area. Matt noted that as of yesterday the geese finally started to move north out of the immediate area that they are hunting and their hunting success has picked up considerably. Matt also stated that about 60 miles north of Huron they are still in full winter conditions so the geese are not able to move to far north quite yet and they have been roosting in the field sheet water which has been making it tough to pattern the birds up until this point. Matt is expecting a good hunt this weekend with the changing migration conditions.

WEEKEND WEATHER OUTLOOK:

Highs: In east central South Dakota expect a high of 38 degrees on Friday and then temps will jump up to 43 degrees on Saturday before dropping back down to 34 degrees on Sunday.

Lows: Expect a low temp around 25 degrees on Friday night and then lows will climb up to 32 on Saturday night before dropping back down to 27 degrees on Sunday night.

Precipitation: Skies will be partly cloudy through Saturday and then there is a 40% chance of snow flurries expected on Sunday.

SAND LAKE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE - ABERDEEN, SD

Reported that as of March 31, 2011, they have still only seen a couple hundred light geese on the refuge and surrounding areas. They stated that at this point they also still have about 6 to 8 inches of snow on the ground but the refuge lake is starting to open up now. They feel that there should be more light geese moving into the area by this weekend. They also reported that the northern edge of the snow goose migration is located in northern Spink County. Last weekend, large flocks of snow geese were seen throughout that area.

LAKE ANDES NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE - LAKE ANDES, SD

Reported that as of March 31, 2011 that they have not seen hardly any snow geese in the area this past week. They stated that about 2 weeks ago they saw a major migration push through the area but since then they have not seen any huntable numbers around the refuge area.

MADISON COUNTRY WETLAND DISTRICT - SOUTH EAST, SD

Reported that as of March 31, 2011 although there are still huntable numbers of light geese in the area, that the main migration has now pushed north from Lake Thompson up to around the Aberdeen area. They also noted that northern Spink County is about where the main reports of the big concentrations of light geese are currently congregated. They also noted that they currently do not have much for snow cover on the ground at this point and they have rain expected for the weekend which is going to make for very muddy conditions. They recommend hunters move north along the snow line where the main migration is located and the fields are still frozen for better accessibility.

Realistic Expectations For A Quality Guided Spring Snow Goose Hunt

2011-03-25T09:41:00.000-07:00

by Dan Wennerlind, huntthenorth.com

The stories and tales of hunting the millions of snow geese on their trek north each spring with the liberal bag limits, the legalization of unplugged shotguns and the use of electronic game callers have been so over exaggerated through the years that the expectations had by the average hunter anticipating their upcoming spring snow goose hunt are completely unrealistic. In fact, even on the best hunts, most outfitters could never meet the high set expectations had by their hunters, no matter how hard they try.

In an attempt to keep up with their competitors, many outfitters unintentionally add to facaude by boasting high success numbers and showing off photos of hundreds and hundreds of dead snow geese on their websites from past hunts. This leads the average customer / hunter to believe that this is the norm for a standard day of spring snow goose hunting, as they research and review the outfitter’s websites, trying to decide which one to try this year.

The purpose of this article is to put to rest many of the myths about the spring snow goose season and give a realistic viewpoint of what should be expected on a quality guided spring snow goose hunt from not only the outfitter, but the hunter as well.

To start off, I would just like to share my background, to share what qualifies me to write such an article. I have been hunting these crazy white birds every spring since the conservation order was put into effect back in 1995. When the season was first put into place, using decoys was not really the norm, as the birds were very unwary during the first two seasons and many hunters were just excited to just get out and hunt in the spring. Pass shooting and jump shooting were the most popular methods and since the geese were in such big flocks and flew very low, it did not take long to get a limit of 10 snow geese. In fact there were only a handful of outfitters even offering spring hunts during the first two seasons.

After the success had in the first couple springs, it was easy to become addicted. Our group of snow goose hunters quickly evolved from pass shooting to decoying. Enclosed trailers needed to be purchased to hold the massive spreads of snow goose decoys. We started out with the standard silloughettes and wind sock decoy spreads. For several seasons we even purchased a couple hundred floater decoys to try hunting the birds over water. We had a lot of fun and learned a lot about our prey, but soon found that we needed more and more decoys- 200 – 300 decoys just didn’t cut it anymore. We then went big and purchased 500 full body decoys to add to another 500 - 700 windsocks. This not only gave is quantity but quality. That’s when we got serious and started to officially offer guided spring hunts. For the first several years it was exciting and rewarding. Each spring brought different obstacles to overcome, from not only outsmarting our wary adversaries, but also trying to overcome Mother Nature. From the muddy fields, to flat out blizzards that would come up in a matter of hours and bury an entire spread. We had great success but Mother Nature really took a toll on gear and guides by the end of the season. After a couple of hard seasons of burying trucks in the field and wrecking a 4 wheeler or two, along with picking up spreads of decoys until 2 am in blizzard conditions, we realized there was a better way. We finally figured it out- Let Someone Else Do The Work And ENJOY The Experience.

After starting HuntTheNorth.com in 2003 I had an opportunity to hunt with some of the best snow goose outfitters in the country. Having the previous experience and background, I was not only able to find out the latest techniques being used in the field, but felt qualified to give these outfitters a rating on their hunts. Not just on their success in the field, but their commitment to their customer’s enjoyment and satisfaction as well. We were then able to share that information with hunters across the country through our website at HuntTheNorth.com. Over the last 8 seasons, I have now had the opportunity to hunt with over 15 different guide services, as well as having the unique opportunity of hunting with 4 different outfitters in 5 consecutive days on one particular trip to Mound City Missouri, home of the infamous Squaw Creek NWR. This not only allowed me to critique each outfitters operation, but gave me the chance to also see how the same birds reacted to 4 different set-ups in 5 consecutive hunts. It was definitely an eye opener, not only to see first hand how the birds reacted, but how the customers reacted as well!

From all of these experiences over the last 16 springs, from being a do-it-yourself hunter, to being an OFFICIAL guide, to hunting with the top outfitters in the country, I have been on every side of the game and feel very confident in having the proper perspective to write this article on What Is A Realistic Expectation On A Quality Guided Spring Snow Goose Hunt.

I would like to start out first by stating that these birds have been hunted and hunted hard for over 15 years now and some of these birds are over 20 years old. They have seen it all and on some days no matter what you do they are not going to decoy. In addition to that, the huge flocks of birds that most of the hunters want to see are the leading edge birds of the migration made up of mostly adult birds that are the smartest all. On some days there is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING that can be done to make a flock of geese decoy into range. That is why I say There Are No Guarantees in spring snow goose hunting.

On a more positive note, I would like to give some basics that can and should be expected on a quality daily guided spring snow goose hunt. First of all, a spread of at least 500 decoys is a minimum. But don’t be upset if the outfitter is using less than 1,000 decoys, each outfitter has their own methods of success. They are the experts, let them do their job. Secondly, many times you are not the only group in camp and you may be hunting with one of the outfitter’s guides rather than the actual outfitter himself, that should be acceptable. Also if the outfitter you are hunting with has several fields he is hunting at the same time, that is also acceptable. To make a living at this game they usually need to be running more than one spread per day. On top of that, since the birds are continually migrating north, it is also ok to be hunting the same field for more than 2 or 3 days in a row. In fact if the outfitter has a field that has produced over and over for many years, they may hunt the same field for the entire season. This is also ok in the right situation. As far as what to expect for the amount of birds harvested on an average day, there is a lot of gray area there. I will address that shortly.

To finish up on what is expected from the outfitter. If the outfitter has made a commitment to you and your group when you booked the hunt, it should be kept. If you booked a field for your private group, that has to be upheld. It is not your fault if the outfitter is not prepared and tries to put you in with another group because of circumstances that were unexpected on his end. However this does need to be addressed at the time of booking and should not be expected unless there is an agreement about that aspect of the hunt. In addition, it is also an area of the hunt that should be addressed in the initial booking conversation as well as what the maximum amount of hunters that will be in the field during the hunt will be. Again, the terms of the hunt should be crystal clear at booking and they need to be upheld throughout the hunt. You should also expect a phone call or some form of contact from the outfitter the week of the hunt. You should not expect to hear from your outfitter multiple times leading up to the hunt and should try not to be bothersome, as these are very long days with minimal phone service available. Also keep in mind that these hunts are conducted in very rural areas much of the time so specific needs and luxurious accommodations are tough to find.

As far as what is a fair price for your hunt, that will vary depending on what is included in the hunt. Some outfitters do a very nice job of putting together an “All Inclusive Package” for their hunters. This usually includes lodging, meals, bird cleaning etc. Negotiating pricing on these packages is really not fair as this is a business and the outfitter has usually ran the numbers on what he needs to make on a specific hunt for the spring to make it profitable. If money is an issue for your hunt, look for a daily hunt package rate from an outfitter who offers that type of an option. As for a daily hunt rate, the average fee is $200.00 per day, per hunter. For what these outfitters have involved in their hunts, from equipment to labor, this is a STEAL! The average hunter will pay more in gas in scouting on a do-it-yourself hunt than they will in a fully guided hunt fee with an outfitter and at the end of the day to be able to walk out of the field at dark, successful or not, without having to pick up 500 – 2,000 decoys is a relief in itself. Please do not nickel and dime these outfitters on their prices. This is by far the most labor intensive outfitting business out there- bar none.

Now what are some situations that need to be addressed that are unacceptable. First off, if any specific aspect of the hunt, that was discussed and agreed upon at the time of booking that does not happen, needs to be addressed to the outfitter, not the guide. In fact I do recommend asking for those terms in writing at booking if the outfitter is willing to do so, so there is no miscommunication upon arrival.

Secondly, your outfitter should have a pre-set meeting point the evening before your hunt, to meet your group and give you the itinerary for the upcoming hunt. As for the actual hunt itself, your outfitter or guide should meet you ON TIME at the pre determined meeting point and should not smell of alcohol from the night before. Also, if you are hunting with a guide that Is Not the outfitter, the guide should be a very experienced and well seasoned. It is not ok to have an inexperienced guide trying to call the shots and run the show. It is ok to have a new guide in training, in the field to help out, but there needs to be a seasoned guide in the field with your group at all times. That being said, the guide runs the show. He knows what he is doing, let him do his job- he calls all the shots. In addition to that, safety should be the number one concern, especially when mixing groups of hunters that do not know each other. Next, if the geese are not cooperating on that specific day it is ok to inquire with your guide why he feels the birds are not decoying well, but it is not ok to start moving decoys around and being upset if the geese are not decoying well. Again, this is spring snow goose hunting...did I mention there are NO GURANTEES!

The spring hunts are also very long days as it does not usually get dark until between 6 – 8 pm as the season progresses. These guides need an afternoon break to keep in good spirits for the entire season, so a “Full Days” hunt should not be expected. Plus the birds usually do not fly all day anyway unless there are severe weather conditions, so give them a break- literally. With this in mind, your guide should enjoy his job. It is not ok for your guide / outfitter to be grumpy and short tempered with your group. Even if the hunting is tough, they need to act in a professional manner at all times. Again, keep in mind, this is hunting and they cannot control the birds, they are doing their best but again THERE ARE NO GURARANTEES when it comes to spring snow goose hunting.

Also remember even the thought of harvesting other species of waterfowl during the spring hunt is completely unacceptable. Expect to see many flocks of other species of waterfowl decoying into the spread but Under No Circumstances should you expect to shoot anything but snow geese or blue geese. It is also very hard to tell the difference from a juvenile white fronted goose and a blue goose. That is why the guide always calls the shots. You should expect a call to the game warden from the guide or outfitter if you do shoot anything but a snow or blue goose and your hunt will definitely be over!

Now for the information that everyone wants to know. How many birds can I expect to shot on an average day, on my guided spring snow goose hunt. Is the answer 100? That seems to be the average spring snow goose hunter’s expectation. Many hunters WANT to shoot 100 birds per day. However, that is completely unrealistic. Does it happen- Yes. Should you expect it- Absolutely Not!

This aspect of the spring snow goose conservation season is very troubling for me. I run into so many hunters who complain that they did not have a successful spring hunt because they did not shoot 100 geese. And at the end of their hunt many of those hunters don’t even want to take home their birds. That is completely unethical!

I would like to share one story to illustrate this point. I shared a pit with a group of four hunters who were repeat customers from the year before with this particular outfitter. In the previous season they had hunted the exact same field with this outfitter. The first day they shot 96 geese. The second day they shot 123 geese. It was what many snow goose hunters dream for and deem a successful hunt. However this particular spring the hunting was tougher with an unsuccessful juvenile hatch from the spring before. During the two days hunt, the first day the 5 of us shot 22 geese and the second day we shot 44 geese. After the second day the group stormed out of the field very upset at the lack of birds shot during their trip and did not tip the outfitter because they failed to meet their goal of 100 birds per day. To top if off, they actually left all of their geese in the field when they left because they didn’t want any of the geese to take home anyway. They just wanted to kill a lot of geese and go home….

The most common question asked to the outfitter that I hear when I am participating on a guided hunt from the average group is- “What do YOU do with all of these birds?” They actually expect the outfitter to get rid of their birds for them. It just makes me sick. And the problem is, THIS IS THE NORMAL EXPECTATION. They want 100 birds dead at the end of the day and they don’t want to take any of them home. Now the outfitter may offer a cleaning service for an additional fee and they may know of a charity place that takes the geese but don't expect that and don't expect the outfitter to take your birds... you shot them, they are YOUR responsibility!

Here is what can and should be expected on a typical day’s snow goose hunt:

Your guide should meet you on time at a pre-set meeting point.
You should show up to a pre-set field of at least 500 decoys.
You should have an upbeat, passionate, experienced guide.
Your shots should be between 30 - 50 yards. They should not be further than that.
Your guide may carry a gun to help shoot cripples. Your guide should not shoot first and boast of the birds he shot.
You should expect to take a 2 – 4 hour mid day break.
You should not have more than 6 hunters in the field unless that has been addressed prior to the hunt.
You will most likely be placed with another group of hunters if you do not have a group of six hunters.

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Now for what most hunters Do Not want to hear. What is expected of YOU on the hunt:

You should make payment in full for the hunt, in advance or upon arrival.
You should have your license pre purchased and have all necessary personal equipment ready upon arrival.
Drinking alcohol prior to or during the hunt is prohibited.
Shooting or expecting to shoot other species of waterfowl is prohibited.
Complaining that the geese will not decoy close enough is unacceptable.
Shooting without the guide calling the shot is unacceptable.
Having your well trained dog in the field should be acceptable- but ask first.
Being asked to put your untrained, obnoxious dog back in the truck is acceptable.
Having expections of shooting 100 birds per day is unacceptable.
Showing up to the hunt with the sole reason of shooting your gun as many times as you can is unacceptable.
Expecting the guide to dispose of your harvested birds is COMPLETELY unacceptable!
Being curtious to your fellow hunters and the guide is expected
(No one likes a game hog).
Having a positive attitude and ENJOYING the overall experience is expected.
Tipping your guide for a job well done is expected.
Going home and enjoying eating the game you harvested is Expected- if you don’t like the taste of snow geese find a new recepie or find something else to hunt!

Now, with the way the spring weather patterns are, I highly recommend booking a 3 day hunt and here is why- the spring weather patterns are so unpredictable, the birds can migrate hundreds of miles on any given day if the conditions are right. On average I have found that, during any 3 day period throughout the spring season, there will be one day of “excellent hunting” meaning harvesting 35+ snow geese for the group. There will be one “average day” which I consider average to be up to 15 birds for the group and there will be one “poor day” where the birds just will not decoy no matter what. I consider a poor day from 0 – 10 birds for the group. If you choose to book a hunt package of less than 3 days, expect to gamble into those three categories. At the end of the day, unless you have made prior arrangements with your outfitter, you are expected to take your share of birds with you and field dress them properly. After the hunt, if you feel that your guide has met the “realistic expectations” of the hunt, you should tip your guide on a job well done. They work their butts off and even if you have a tough day of hunting in the field, it is not their fault.

So what should you do if something happens during the hunt that falls into the “Unacceptable” category with your outfitter. Whether it is putting extra hunters in with your group after you were promised your own field or having a guide with you on his first ever snow goose hunt. Many things can happen. It is up to you how to handle each circumstance but one point I would like to make is bring it up to the outfitter on the spot face to face. I have heard way too many stories of hunters telling the outfitter what a good time they had and then they go home and bad mouth the outfitter to everyone they know and blab all over the internet what a terrible time they had. If you have a serious concern, try and bring it up with the outfitter in private after the hunt and try and work out a fair compromise. If they did you wrong, you should be entitled to a discount on your hunt, maybe an extra day or a discount on a future hunt. Again this will be between you and the outfitter but remaining calm and trying to work through a situation always works better than a yelling match or worse yet saying nothing at all and feeling taken advantage of. Also try and put yourself in the outfitter’s shoes and see the situation for what it is. That is the best advice that I can give.

I would like to end this article with an analogy that I feel puts this hunt in perspective. Think of an average fall waterfowl hunting season. You most likely have a group of 2 – 4 good hunting buddies that you spend time with in your favorite hunting spot throughout the season. Think about how many ducks you and your group shot last fall. I would say that the average group, depending on circumstances and time in the field may shoot 75 – 100 ducks in a season and a limit of 6 ducks per hunter would be a very successful day in the field. For the average waterfowl hunter to harvest 100 ducks in an entire year, that would probably be a successful year. Now let’s say at the end of the season you took 100 mallards and pintails etc and just threw them into the trash uncleaned because you didn’t like the taste of the birds or were just too lazy to clean them. What would your buddies say? Or more appropriately would that be ethical? Of course not, it would be unheard of and if someone found 100 dead ducks in a dumpster by your house there would be a serious investigation. Now go back to a “Typical Spring Snow Goose Hunt”. You book your hunt and expect to shoot 100 snow geese every day for 3 days. Your group has an amazing hunt and you actually come home with 300 geese. Now What?

Everything in moderation is my thought. If you feel that harvesting 15 geese during the hunt is enough for you and watching your dog make an amazing retrieve on a white goose standing in a black field at 300 yards made the trip more successful than sitting in the garage cleaning 50 geese after a long trip home, that you don’t particularly like the taste of anyway, then stop shooting after you get 15 geese. Maybe just enjoying a flock of speckle belly geese cruising over your blind at 10 yards is enjoyment in itself rather than pleading with your guide to let you break the law where he can lose his lively hood, just so you can shoot your gun one more time that day.

The spring snow goose hunting season is an amazing experience and should be enjoyed by all passionate waterfowl hunters at least once. Seeing the big flocks of 1,000 – 100,000 snow geese circling over head is a sight to behold. Having a few of them actually touch down in the spread is a feat that is hard to accomplish. Taking a bag limit of 5 -10 adult snow geese should be a successful day in anyone’s book. Enjoying time in the field outside of the traditional fall season should be considered a gift not a right. Book your hunt, enjoy a trip with a reputable outfitter, we have several that we highly recommend right here on our website at HuntTheNorth.com with full reviews for you to read about our personal experiences with them. Have fun with it. Don’t go into the hunt with unrealistic expectations and bring your kid and your camera and enjoy one of nature’s most unique experiences – the spring snow goose migration!

South Dakota Migration Update - March 24th, 2011

2011-03-24T15:04:00.000-07:00

March 23rd, 2011 Snow Line

Courtesy of huntthenorth.com
SAND LAKE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE - ABERDEEN, SD

Reported that as of March 24, 2011, the first snow geese reached Sand Lake last weekend, but numbers in the area remain low. Most of the birds remain south and west of Aberdeen. We have received reports of good numbers of snow geese between Redfield and Huron, and in the Orient area. Large numbers of snow geese were also reported passing through the Mobridge area earlier in the week. They also reported that after the mid week snow storm, they received an additional 5 inches of snow so they now have around 10 - 12 inches on the ground and the same small bunches of snow geese that were in the area before the storm are in the area but no new birds have shown up since then. They also stated that all of the local lakes are still completely frozen over as well at this time.

LAKE ANDES NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE - LAKE ANDES, SD

Reported that as of March 17, 2011 they had seen a big migration push into the area starting last weekend with flock sizes in the tens of thousands. They stated that the migration on the refuge and in the immediate area lasted through Monday / Tuesday of this week and then the birds moved on. They have not seen any big numbers of snow geese since earlier this week.

MADISON COUNTRY WETLAND DISTRICT - SOUTH EAST, SD

Reported that as of March 24, 2011 they saw a massive migration into the area as of last weekend but with the snow storm that hit earlier in the week it pushed some of the bigger flocks back south. They stated that there are an estimated 100,000+ light geese still in the immediate area and that there are strong numbers of light geese that are pushing the snow line which runs all the way across Highway 34 to Huron at this time. They also noted that they received about 5 inches of snow from that storm and that it is already melting and the Sioux Falls area did not get any snow so there are still good numbers of light geese all the way south from there area at this time.

14 Snow Goose Hunting Tips

2011-03-07T16:54:00.000-08:00

from Ducks Unlimited

Snow geese are fast learners and quickly become wary when hunted. They are long-lived and travel in large flocks, so thousands of experienced eyes examine every potential feeding and resting place for danger before landing. Furthermore, their nomadic lifestyle makes them difficult to locate.

Hunting snow geese requires hard work and specialized strategies, but those who learn the tricks find it immensely rewarding. Several hunters claim that few outdoor experiences can compare with being at the center of a swirling-vortex of several thousand squawking snow geese settling into a decoy spread.

Follow these quick tips to improve your odds on your next trip.

Begin by driving back roads to locate fields where snow geese are feeding. Scouting the fields for where the geese want to be is the key to success. Find the landowner and always get permission to hunt before anything else. If the decoys can be set by mid-afternoon, you can hunt the field that evening and again the next morning.
Snow geese usually return to a field until the food is exhausted. However, they have good memories and will not return to a place where they have been shot at. Finding a hot field and setting out decoys may result in two or three successful hunts; an evening, morning and possibly another evening. After that, the birds are gone and its back to scouting.
Hide all signs of human activity, including tire tracks, candy wrappers and any other non-natural items.
Park vehicles at least a half mile away.
Set out a minimum of 500 decoys (1,000 to 1,500 is better).
Supplement shell and silhouette decoys with lighter, less expensive white rags or white plastic bag decoys.
Wear camouflage or white if snow covers the ground.
Don't over call. Calls are most useful for calling in single birds or isolated pairs.
Do not begin shooting while birds are still landing. For maximum shooting opportunity, wait until birds already on the ground begin to get nervous and take flight.
Hunting partners should agree on fields of fire so shooting opportunities are not wasted by shooting at the same bird.
Take your first shots at birds that are at the fringe of your effective range, then work your way back through closer birds.
Focus on one bird at a time.
A morning's shooting ends when the birds go back to roost in refuge areas during the middle of the day. Sometimes that is as early as 9 a.m., other times they may not roost until noon. Afternoon feeding flights can arrive two hours before dark, but they may not appear until shooting hours are almost over.
2 3/4-inch shotgun shells with No. 1 or No. 2 steel shot work well for snow geese.

For more info on the 2011 Spring Snow Goose Season, visit our website

Now is the Time for Spring Snows

2011-03-01T22:07:00.000-08:00

By John Pollman, Ducks Unlimited

They're smart, hard to decoy and will humble even the savviest of waterfowl hunters, but those who pursue spring snow geese know that the end result is worth the effort.

If you've never taken in a day of decoying snows, blues or Ross's geese as they wing northward on the heels of a retreating winter, maybe this is the year to see what you've been missing.

READ MORE

The Great Migration of a Snow Goose

2011-02-24T07:00:00.000-08:00

The Snow Goose (also known as the Blue Goose) is a species of goose typically found in North America. Fairly large at 25-30 inches tall and 4.5-6 lbs each, the Snow Goose’s plumage can actually be one of two colors: white and blue, thus the differing names.

Snow Geese are fairly well known in the United States and Canada because of their migration habits, which make them game for hunters and birdwatchers alike. Several companies have realized this as having both business and sport potential, and offer guided hunting tours during both the spring and fall migratory seasons. One of the premiere companies which caters to this specific migration is Top Gun Guide Service. They specialize in guided hunts throughout Canada and the northern United States. Although there are many companies that offer similar guided hunts, Top Gun is known for their comprehensive options, which include guided tours into Saskatchewan as well as a large portion of America’s mid-west. They can be found online by clicking here

Snow Geese mate for life, usually beginning in their second or third years, beginning in late May and going until mid-August. Females, for whatever reason, feel a need to return to breed where they hatched their last eggs. The geese generally nest in colonies, building their actual nests on elevated pieces of land.

These qualities of the Snow Goose ensure that the birds will migrate south in the winter to warmer parts of the United States and Mexico, and will also return north when the weather gets warmer in the spring and summer. It is estimated that more than half of the goose’s year is spent migrating to and from warmer regions.

The Snow Goose travels through what is known as the Central Flyway, which covers some of the best farmland in America. It used to be that the geese would fly to more marshy areas (such as in the southern United States) and would use their long beaks to dig through the soil to get to the roots of the grass there. However, as time passed the birds eventually came to master finding food from the field. They now feed on a diversity of food, including rice, corn, and wheat.

Because of this change in habit, during migratory season many flocks of birds will appear in the United States and Canada in areas such as Saskatchewan, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Kansas, Arkansas, Missouri and Minnesota. As mentioned earlier, there are many opportunities for hunters in these regions. The birds will often fly down and land in large packs in agricultural regions, making them both a fun and challenging type of game bird.

Apparently, the breeding population of the Snow Goose is over five million birds, which is an astonishing three hundred percent increase from what the population was in the 1970’s. This makes them especially superior as a game bird.

2011 Spring Snow Goose Hunting Season

2011-02-22T07:00:00.001-08:00

We are proud to say that we are one of few outfitters in the country that hunt snow geese for up to eight months of the year in the Midwest in the spring and fall. We hunt Missouri, South Dakota, North Dakota, Kansas, and Saskatchewan.

Our overall Objective and Philosophy

This will be our 10th season hunting snows in the spring. A lot has changed and we have adapted!

We offer any type of spring hunt that you would prefer. We hunt in various locations with all types of equipment (includes full bodies or Deadly Decoy windsocks) that have proven to be effective to decoy snow geese. We have a total of eight decoy spreads that we constantly move and hunt on a daily basis. We have eliminated any equipment that we feel is not effective and a waste of valuable time. We know that our time concealing and fixing the decoy spread is much more important. Some days all the sets are full of hunters and some days only a few will be full. Either way we have 8 full time guides and 5 full time spotters and decoy setters. This ensures plenty of help if there is a solid snow line and birds stop moving north. The birds start feeding habits in the area and we will be able to target them better and move on them where they feed. These fields will be set at night or midday.

When there isn't a snow line we keep our decoys set in the prime migratory funnels that the birds use each year. These are only learned by hunting these fields for the last ten years. This is when you really benefit from experienced guides. In the spring you will not always benefit from hunting scouted feeder birds as those birds can feed in a field in the morning in Missouri and feed in another field in South Dakota that afternoon. Some fields will be set the day we get there and can shoot great averages for the entire two or three week time frame. If they dry up and stop killing birds we simply move them into another funnel or "Killing Field" as we call them. These are fields that may not ever had a bird feeding in but we know year after year when we put our decoys in it we slaughter them!

Chasing an "X" field can sometimes be like chasing your tail. In the spring birds feed a lot different than in the fall. The biggest shoots on snow geese will happen from a push back of geese from the north or migratory birds from the south on sunny south wind days. These days will always out shoot hunting feeder birds in an "X" field. On these days make sure you are in the field hunting with a lot of shells and not moving decoys or chasing feeder birds. In either scenario we will work hard to put you in funnels or feeder fields.

When you arrive we will give you our game plan as it pertains to the bird patterns and activity in the area. Top Gun wants our customers to have the most enjoyable hunt possible while hunting snows. Weather and snow geese combined can be one of the most predictable and unpredictable hunt you will ever experience. Unpredictable always doesn't refer to bad hunting as it can be some of the greatest waterfowl hunting you will ever see on an day to day or even hour to hour basis . I personally am proud to have watched these birds migrate each spring as it is the greatest migration of birds on earth!!

Where

We start spring snow goose hunting in Mound City, Missouri or Kansas on February 15th and hunt until March 20th depending on the weather and the snow goose migration. We travel with the snow geese, moving into central Nebraska, arriving in South Dakota around March 20th. We hunt North Dakota from April 10th to May 6th. We finish the spring snow goose hunting season in Saskatchewan from April 20th to May 6th. We have land leases in all these areas as we hunt in these areas in the spring and fall. We have been finding these areas and following bird patterns for years that gives a head start on the competition new to these locations.

Equipment and Group Numbers

Each snow goose hunt consists of hunting behind 2,000 snow goose decoys (Deadly Decoys or full body Bigfoot decoys), electronic callers, mp3 players, Bose speakers, we try hunt 6 to 7 hunters max per field depending on how the group numbers calculate. We hunt out of final Approach, Hard Core, and Foiles layout blinds. We will work with each group to make the hunt work. Dogs are allowed only in an exclusive groups.(6 to 8) We do not allow them in mixed parties.

Guides

Hunters will benefit from dedicated snow goose hunting guides who scout fields daily and are willing to relocate in an effort to stay on top of feeding and migrating snows. We have a young energetic staff of snow goose hunting machines. My guides have proven to have the stamina and knowledge to put you on birds throughout the entire 70 day season. This is a grueling, muddy, and bloody 70 days that not many guides can finish. We all work together and have a system that has been proven year after year and we have the client base to prove it. When the snows leave overnight we are able to do the same and be on birds the next afternoon. As a client we expect the same of you because sometimes we have to jump from one state to another on a days notice. This is for your benefit. We scout daily in the area we are hunting and we scout the next state we will be jumping to when the geese migrate north. We do everything in our power to get you on birds daily.