Let the geese tell you how many will work. I know a lot of both styles of hunters, and they both go that route for a variety of reasons. If you can identify a loafing water, youll usually get a good hunt out of it. I feel decoys are usually the least important aspect of hunting snow geese. If you make enough noise they will come from miles around! These are good for keeping your cheeks and nose warm. With that being said its often called a young mans game, and for good reason. You can purchase a hunting license from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) website or at any DEC license issuing outlet. In high wind, we dont use rotary machines. Ive been snow goose hunting for over 30 years and over that time, Ive accumulated a few things that I felt I could pass onto other hunters. Geese might return to an especially tempting food source, but they often wait a few days before doing so and are exceptionally wary when they do. The first thing you have to understand about spring snow goose hunting, is you have to understand what the birds are doing and why. This is important because geese typically land as close as possible to the food source. Okay so I will be honest, Ive never been an A-frame guy. So set up 'actives' in areas where you don't want the geese to land. We pulled all but four of the full-bodies and replaced them with 60 floaters. The end result is a nearly evenly-spaced decoy spread. Most field blinds have many loops in which you can secure vegetation. This often depends on the number of decent feeding options in an area. If youre exhaling creates a plume of breath that doesnt dissipate right away, then you can expect to be hunting in subzero conditions. Theyre known for their high-pitched two- or three-note laughing or yelping call and are considered by many hunters to be the best-tasting waterfowl species. There are three general ways to hunt waterfowl hunting over decoys, jump-shooting, and pass-shooting. Establishing this zone does not constitute permission to hunt. If youve watched several thousand snows cover a 500-acre barley field, you obviously want to bring every decoy you can carry. Many times, one or two birds will commit and land just feet from your blind while a larger flock circles. 2022 Waterfowl Hunting Season Avian Influenza Safety Recommendations Either way, birds usually frequent loafing areas consistently. Lastly, you should always pay attention to what the geese are feeding in, crop-wise. Further, match your blind to the cover youll hunt. Youve likely deduced that hunting fields requires you to gain access to private ground. Try soaking your goose strips in your favorite marinade, and wrap in bacon, and toss on the grill. How is that youre wondering? But it comes at a price. Permits will remain available until reserved permit quotas are depleted or until 72 hours prior to the hunt date. You must have the permit with you at all times, whether you are carrying it in a physical or electronic form. There really are 2 types of spreads in the spring, the run-n-gun and the permanent decoy spreads. First off, whats the wind that morning? You want to be sure that your clothes work in harmony with the environment so that you can get close enough to take a shot without scaring away your prey. A Michigan migratory bird hunter must have the following in order to hunt migratory birds: a hunting license, a federal migratory bird stamp, and a base license. The federal migratory bird hunting stamp is $25 for a four-year license. After you shoot into a few flocks, though, things get dicey. Snow geese usually migrate when the weather is favorable, such as North or Northwest winds. There is a variety of flapping decoys on the market for snow goose hunting. I had a waterfowl biologist once tell me that its in these staging areas where the adults abandon their young. amzn_assoc_asins = "B00EHTIQKQ"; The bigger question might be when during the season to hunt geese. Focus on the head of a goose instead of the body, and swing through that target like you would with a speeding duck. So what kind of pasture pond is best? A light goose special management permit is required to hunt during the spring hunting season for light geese in the Central Flyway of Wyoming. Resonant-cavity calls are probably the easiest to operate. I will start with what NOT to do when setting decoys. To each their own. Pursue them at midmorning and midday over loafing waters or, if wet weather hits, at feeding areas. In fact black can be very effective in the right circumstances and worn with camouflage to break up outlines near water or vegetation where geese are likely to land. The key is to be where the birds want to sit for these types of decoy spreads. Snow geese are the primary target species during the fall season. amzn_assoc_linkid = "8ff0cd30a5381a8a10458efb50fe8497"; This ingenious product has been around for around a decade or more now, and if you havent seen it before, its amazing. My pilot was my partner in sales, and we flew a Cessna 340. I owe a lot of my success in foggy conditions to this technique. Except on SGL 214, where goose hunting is prohibited in September, there is a daily bag limit of one possession and a possession limit of three. I use Sillosocks as the base, and I use only their feeders. Zone 1 is made up of the states eastern and central regions, Zone 2 covers its northeastern corner, Zone 3 is made up of the lower Great Lakes region, Zone 4 covers its southern region, and Zone 5 is made up of its western region. Rather than try to describe it, simply watch this YouTube video on how we use this method. Likewise, it might be wasted effort to provide a basic tutorial about how to operate a goose call, especially the somewhat challenging short-reed model. We had 200 full-bodies on a sandbar and couldn't get the birds to finish. Often, this is as simple as taking hay, corn stalks or cut alfalfa and placing it atop your blind. For everyone else, it's simply fun to know which duck is which. First-come, first-served permits. Season information for the light goose conservation order is available in the Migratory Game Bird regulation brochure, and Chapter 14 of Commission regulations. This is obviously a personal preference. Dont be dismayed if youre not the best goose caller on your block. Windsocks can get beat up badly in high winds and weather, and if youre hunting in corn, the stalks can shred the bags over time. The stamp is valid for one year and must be renewed annually. Well, it usually starts WAY TOO EARLY in the morning, and after setting and picking up decoys, cleaning birds, scouting, etc. Often, I do just the opposite. The birds use their short, strong bills to "grub" for vegetation and, because of their unnaturally high numbers, have destroyed hundreds of thousands of acres of fragile coastal marine and freshwater habitat. Cackling geese are the other notable North American dark geese. From September 1 to 11, Pennsylvanias hunting season for Canada geese will be open. amzn_assoc_design = "enhanced_links"; Dress in layers. However, this isnt always the case. Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. The poly starts at $85 all the way up to the Buzzard at $200. Then we clip a wing and bag it in a cooler. Youve heard the old joke about how to cook a big honker, right? A Look At The Role Of A Tactical Coxswain, The Advantages Of Owning A Tactical Flashlight, Rugby League: The Ultimate Guide To Tactical Skills, The Inuit People And Their Relationship With Moose, The 5 Most Popular Types Of Tactical Blackouts, The LBX Tactical Armatus II Vest And 1012 Plate. Their grain usage varies depending on regional agricultural and harvest patterns. They eliminate your vertical outline and blend in better with natural cover. Tell the landowner how many people would hunt the field and when theyd be there. There are so many ways to assemble a snow goose decoy spread that I will try to organize my thoughts. It saves a lot of vital time as the sun is setting during scouting. Since geese are large birds you will want larger sized pellets to bring them down. Otherwise, birds might simply relocate to another field. But you dont need some massive speaker system, either. Waterfowling Cooking Secrets: Brine Your Birds, Essential Waterfowl Recipes: Summer Sausage, Essential Waterfowl Recipes: Marinade Secrets. Many options are available, including keeled floating decoys for water hunting to rags, windsocks, silhouettes and full-body standing decoys for fields. More than duck hunting, goose hunting has two main fronts: water and agricultural fields. Most deer hunting licenses are valid for a period of one year, and allow the hunter to take a certain number of deer, depending on the regulations of the state in which they are hunting. Also, if youre planning to run a permanent spread for a long period of time (say a month or more), then full bodies are the way to go. Check out this selection of tips and recipes for cleaning and cooking your geese, and click here for more waterfowling content at Realtree.com. In this article, well talk about how different clothing types might affect your success rate while goose hunting! What permits and licenses do I have? As a result, hunters who are registered in the resident population zone and who wish to hunt in the conservation hunt zone can do so on any day of the week. The problem with windsocks is high wind days. Short-reed calls are by far the most popular, but they require some practice to operate correctly (more on this later). However, geese might feed most of the day in fields during rainy or snowy weather. If you havent looked at the snow goose windsock market lately, I will break the newsits flooded. Before using a new blind, blur its shiny exterior by rubbing it with mud. This gives you a high-quality first shot, and a second shot that would be simliar as if you came out of a blind (if that makes sense). Except for the populations in the Southern James Bay and Atlantic, you can hunt in Pennsylvania almost anywhere. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit"; One more hint: Some farmers dont mind if you drive on their fields, especially if theyve been harvested and the ground is firm. I would also recommend having one wood short-reed goose call that produces a softer, deeper, and more realistic sound. Yup, I said it. Honestly, anything is more reliable than the Weather Channel. Cooler to store and ice down your cleaned birds. Geese likely have another destination in mind, so youre trying to convince them they need to come closer. Hunting Home Hunting ducks & geese Waterfowl hunting is special in Minnesota. Plus, I find pasture ponds to have more of a hard bottom. Although portions of Colorado have recently returned to more normal conditions, most of the state and the surrounding region remains mired in long-term drought conditions as we enter fall. We still use a bunch of them often, on really calm days. Im personally a Deadly Decoy brand or SkyFly Decoys when it comes to sentry decoys. Youll find no secrets here. Browse search results for concession trailer waymatic Hunting & Fishing for sale in Illinois. Theres nothing wrong with realistic calling, but use your head. Full-bodies are large, and you cant fit that many in your truck bed. However, you can often get away with this on large waters the Mississippi River or a 10,000-acre lake, for example. Large spreads also work best when hunting over water or "running traffic," which simply means youre hunting a field while attempting to lure in passing geese headed to another field or water. You must purchase a Southern Hunting License in order to hunt in the Southern Zone. First things first, lets talk about what you should wear. What I really like about whites is that birds dont flare often as you pull up. For example, in the fall snow geese will often feed all day as they build up reserves for the migration. Tipping $10-$15 per day for hunts where you are alone or with a small group is usually acceptable. Many hunters frown on roost hunting, as pressure on these waters can move geese out of an area, ruining hunting for everyone in the area. Remove full-body decoys from their bases and set them directly on the ground, or use shell decoys to emulate this look. Watch on. This will level it out and create only one shadow. A skilled goose caller can convince birds to change their flight plans and travel a long distance to check out the plaintive calls they hear. Snow geese usually feed twice a day (morning and evening), and roost at night and in-between feeding. Big, Sponsored by Outfitter Logic Fishing Guide & Hunting Guide Website Marketing Intro of the Panel What Do You Look For When Scouting A Lake When, The Prairie Skies of Bismarck, North Dakota (USA), This almost goes without saying these days for any waterfowlerhave. Food or drink (non-alcoholic) you may need while in the field. Read the birds, and let them tell you what they like and dont like. A person who is permanently unable to draw and hold a legal bow may be granted a Modified Longbow Authorization. When the bacon is cooked, your goose is usually medium-rare to medium, at most. The geese harvested during this special season will predominantly be local Canada geese from the immediate area in and around the hunting zone, the same geese that are causing problems on golf courses, housing and business complexes and airports. If you are 16 or older and want to hunt migratory birds (ducks, geese, and shorebirds), you must first obtain a federal migratory bird hunting stamp (duck stamp). Geese dont feed in Us or Js or whatever. It is a resource we have put together for hunters who want to know what they should wear when it comes time to head out into the field during their next hunting excursion! If you cannot locate or access a good field, dont sweat. Sleeping geese signal that the area has been checked out and is safe enough to drop in and take a nap. It is illegal to use a shotgun larger than 10-gauge. If not disturbed, geese will usually feed for an hour or two and then leave the field about midmorning. Note the direction of their travel, and then follow them in your vehicle to find the hotspot. Hunting of Canada geese is legal throughout the country, but bag limits and seasons differ by zone. This is really a Ford vs. Chevy debate, honestly. I would also recommend having one wood short-reed goose call that produces a softer, deeper, and more realistic sound. But to target geese throughout the various seasons, youll need specialized equipment. Consider this your ultimate goose hunting guide. Large water and field spreads can take many configurations: Vs, Js, Us, blobs or even long, loose groups of birds. Keep one thing in mind: you can blow a loud call soft, but you can't blow a soft call loud. They have 3 different calls that would work well on snow geese, in my opinion. You do not need a federal migratory bird hunting stamp to hunt coot, crow, rail, gallinule, snipe, or woodcock. Feeder decoys obviously speak for themselvesthey suggest that there is food at that goose's location. Dress in layers. However, the higher the wind, the shorter we typically set our spread. If youve ever hauled a couple of thousand full-body snow goose decoys into a field with sleds and ATVs, you know what I mean. amzn_assoc_region = "US"; All fall tactics typically still work in the spring, just be where they want to feed. I ask myself, Can I jump that spot if snow geese were there? If the answer is no, you probably have a winner. Just another way to help them pick you out in my opinion. '"Bill Saunders, Kennewick, Washington, "When hunting in areas with intense hunting pressure, don't try to match every decoy spread out there, especially during the late season. Its simply not realistic. Natural cover often provides a good option. With Canada geese, thats a basic honk and the shorter, sharper cluck. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; As mentioned, the time-of-day equation for goose hunting is fairly simple. I feel a lightly seasoned, medium-rare snow goose is delicious on its own. So with that being said, you need to understand where the migration is at, at all times if you want to decoy geese consistently. We take it on all of our snow goose hunting trips (I actually have 2). Expand your search in a grid pattern, checking any likely fields near a major roost. The many types of habitat in the state support opportunities for waterfowl ranging from mallards, Canada geese, and snow geese to sea ducks and brant. Since this is a common goose behavior in these conditions, hunters should try to represent this behavior with decoys. Cover your body, plus your head, face and hands. The next push is a mixture of adults and the start of some juvies. Canada has the authority under the Convention to pass and enforce regulations to protect migratory bird species listed on the list. Biologists opened a limited subsistence hunting season on the birds in 2017 the first in 30 years. Snow geese are good at roosting in places where they cant get harassed. I love talking and hunting snow geese. So there you have it, my long-winded article on snow goose hunting. When Sillosocks came out with their Rotary Machine, it quickly caught on to the masses and it lost its power pretty quick. A baked-on camouflage finish adds versatility, but its not critical. Rubber boots or field boots are all that is needed most of the time. Personally, I never bought into the full-body hype. When it comes to snow goose decoys, I like as many socks as possible and I will use some full bodies around the landing zone. With Hevi-Shot or similar tungsten-based nontoxic loads, 3-inch shotshells with No. In order to deer hunt in the United States, hunters must possess a deer hunting license. When youre satisfied with your concealment, its time to place decoys. 12-Gauge Is The Gauge. The resident population zone has been increased to 26 acres, and the conservation hunt zone has been extended to Feb. 28-April 22, 2022. The regular goose season is from September 24th December 31st. Also, relaxed-looking loafer decoys are always a nice touch. Redbone Buzzard Everyone has their personal choice of goose calls, I have mine. I run 3-4 e-callers in my spread, each having 4 speakers. Ive written a lot on snow geese through the years, but never as in-depth as this one. Snow goose season recap What is the minimum investment in a good snow goose spread? There really are 3 types of snow geese coming up in the spring. Thats when the decoy whips back and forth in high wind. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit"; You might also have the option of wearing the full face mask with just eye protection. Whether it is hunting teal and other puddle ducks on small waters early season, hunting mallards on a river in the coldest parts of winter, going after divers on large reservoirs, or pursuing geese in a grain field, Oklahoma provides an opportunity for you. Once you understand what the birds are doing, you can figure out a way to properly decoy them. A sling really helps, though. When you locate a field geese are using, pay attention to how birds approach the area during various wind conditions, and note where they land. Im going to share scouting tips, decoys, concealment, cleaning birds and everything in-between. (Incidentally, when birds seem hesitant to finish, you might adjust your decoy spread or double-check that you're concealed. There are different types of licenses available, and the type you need will depend on the state you are hunting in. I feel guys are so hung up on buying the latest and greatest decoys that they overlook the basics, at times. Goose hunting can require lots of gear. They claim it works just fine. As stated earlier, if youre hunting staging geese in the spring, you hunt them a lot like the fall. On a good snow goose hatch year, youll have countless juvies bombarding your decoy spread throughout decoy season. Most goose hunters prefer to hunt ag fields, so thats where well start. Canada protects the majority of migratory birds under the Convention on Migratory Birds (MBCA). During the spring hunting season, which lasts from January 16 to April 15, hunters can kill ducks. It will be legal to purchase or obtain a permit electronically beginning August 1, 2022. Also, throw in a few field decoys, which you can place on sandbars or a shoreline to look like loafing birds. Rogers Goosedown Outfitters will provide everything else for your hunt, including still and motion goose decoys, the hunting blind, and a guide. The possession limit for Canada goose, white-fronted goose, and brant is three (3) times the daily bag limit, except on opening day and the second day of the season when the possession limit is one (1) and two (2) times the daily bag limit, respectively. The MGBH permit is valid in all Canadian provinces and territories. Bird cleaning and possession tags are included in the purchase price of your hunt. Also, stay away from tree rows, power lines, rock piles, sloughs, or anything that would spook the geese on their approach. They use a reed held over a tone board and break naturally (think about a Canada gooses "herr-onk" honk) with simple air pressure. I know someone is reading this right now who slays geese with themawesome! These calls complement each other for different hunting and weather conditions. Hard to screw up, and who doesnt like bacon!!! If youre like me, you have 10 dozen snow goose windsocks on TALL stakes. If youve seen 100-plus honkers use a 100-acre corn field, you can probably get away with 50 or to 100 decoys. Finally, you will need to purchase a shotgun and shells that are appropriate for hunting geese. Google has an age restriction on it, so I cant share it here (you have to click the link). Goose down is the insulation that keeps geese warm when they are out at night searching for food. Its not perfect, nothing is, but its scary how close it can be most of the time. Those are good general guidelines, but keep an open mind when scouting fields. A bit pricey, but totally worth it if you hunt snow geese often. Let the mud dry, and then brush it off. Biologists recognize seven subspecies of Canada geese: Atlantic (canadensis), interior (interior), Moffitts (moffitti), Vancouver (fulva), dusky (occidentalis), lesser (parvipes) and giant (maxima). There is a way that Ive found to hide them in most situations. The Federal Duck Stamp can be purchased from any hunting or sporting goods store, online at the Federal Duck Stamp Program website, or most post offices; it can also be purchased at any sporting goods store. Im not going to lie, this is the toughest situation to hunt for these reasons. And if you use a long pole with a flyer on the end, even better. My good friend and fellow waterfowler, J.D. Honkers also like greens, and theyll feed extensively on grasses and mowed hay (alfalfa) fields. A lot of guys use shapes and letters as your decoy spread layoutdont do that. It is knowing the birds, their lives and their needs to survive. It works, trust me. White-fronted geese migrate from Canada during the winter months. When it's foggy, listen closely and try using a flag instead of a call when you first hear geese, not necessarily when you first see them. They often migrate relatively early, and hunters encounter good numbers of cackling geese in ag fields while hunting Canadas. Goose hunting opportunities are available in Pennsylvania, with a variety of hunting zones throughout the state. Ive been using On X since its inception and I would feel naked without it. Colorado waterfowl hunters may need to work a bit harder to find good hunting opportunities during the 2022-2023 seasons. No decoy moving is required. Theres another element to the gear equation, and its probably the most enjoyable: calling. When snow geese are feeding, theyre constantly on the move in search of food. Well, according to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), theres a very specific set of rules: Wearing hunter orange is not required if you are on land that has been designated as open for hunting. So does this imply that hunters who go waterfowl or migratory bird hunting must wear some part of the orange color spectrum? Some of these tips may serve as reminders. Also, when scouting, its always a good idea to put the birds youre hunting to bed. Its awfully hard to hide that many guys well, and quite frankly, Ive found it to be a bit more dangerous. This is when it gets stupid in terms of harvests. This is a great time for hunters to get out and take a few geese. 449 S 12th St.Tampa, Florida 33602United States, Texas Duck Hunting: A Guide To Licenses Stamps And Waters, The Importance Of The Tactical Picture To The Commander, How To Choose The Perfect Hunting Jacket For Moose Season, The Most Popular Ways To Carry A Tactical Pen. Each hunter may take a daily limit of three light geese and six dark geese. Hunters must not exceed the possession limit after birds have been killed. Snows have white and blue color variations, and birds with the latter plumage are called blue geese, even though theyre the same species as snows (Anser caerulescens or Chen caerulescens, depending on your taxonomic preference). A group of active decoys indicates there is no food available in that area. Simply strive for continued improvement to be the best you can. There is a daily bag limit of eight geese per hunter, but you can hunt up to three geese per day. HIP registration is valid from July 1 - June 30 annually. If the birds are farther out, a modified choke tube is better. Pattern several loads through various choke constrictions to see which perform best. Blind Bag. When youre toting blinds, decoys and other gear long distances, its nice to throw your gun over your shoulder for easy transport. During the fall and spring seasons, geese are the most common target species. Remember, you want a choke/load combo that will deliver a solid pattern at 40-plus yards, but you dont want something so tight that you miss decoying birds at 20 steps. The key is to be where the birds want to sit for these types of decoy spreads. Back in the nineteenth and early 20th century, waterfowl hunters used shotguns in 4 gauge, 8 gauge, 10 gauge, and 12 gauge. I was on a Canada goose hunt late last year and the geese were skittish. Camera to capture the hunt on film. Flapping these to imitate flying and landing geese often grabs the attention of birds at a distance. To hunt geese in Pennsylvania, you will need a hunting license, a shotgun, and ammunition. I typically only blow my call at singles, doubles, and small flocks. Clothing made from synthetic materials will not keep you as warm because they dont trap air like feathers do. Those who wish to apply for an annual resident license must have lived in New York State for more than 30 days in the previous year. Run-n-Gun Spreads These are what you need to hunt Xs on the go. Sometimes, geese head out before sunrise. Focus on the head of a goose instead of the body, and swing through that target like you would with a speeding duck. There are different types of licenses available, and the type you need will depend on the state you are hunting in. Other times, large flocks might drop in. This device is effective for cleaning large amounts of geese. Get In Touch Saskatoon Saskatchewan tho@tigerhills.ca 306-941-7676 The best way to attract snow geese is with an electronic bird call. Maybe theyre isolated or hidden from roads. It is mandatory to obtain a Northern Hunting License and participate in the Hunting Information Program (HIP) in order to hunt within the Northern Zone. I also use some Dive Bomb headless windsocks to help beef up the numbers. Shotgun Sling. Fish and Wildlife Service. Youll find many options, from simple, lightweight models to more elaborate, comfortable blinds. But you can use several methods to target geese specifically over water. During times of freezing temperatures I like to run an 'ice eliminator' to ensure I have open water in traffic areas. There is a caveat. Im a windsock guy myself. Also, because geese are relatively late risers, you typically have plenty of time in the pre-dawn or mid-afternoon to unload and arrange decoys, and to conceal yourself or your blinds. I will show both ways, including keeping a wing on the goose for identification. Like turkey hunters, goose nuts love to call, and for good reason it works. It is necessary for all hunters to have the Harvest Information Program endorsement in order to hunt migratory birds. Our knowledgeable guides will accompany you in the field as soon as the first light comes on so you can catch the Greater Snow Geese with shotguns. For snows, its a nasally one-syllable honk. Ideally, thats where you will set up. In my younger days, we were snow goose hunting with 6-8 guys A LOT. Remember, in field situations, geese are feeding, so you want to use lots of feeder decoys in some situations, perhaps up to 70 percent. When I was in my 20s, I used to travel for a living. Why is this important? In order to goose hunt, you need to have a license that allows you to do so. Snow geese do not follow the Covid-19 protocol of 6 feet of space. Either way, ask before driving in. Westerholm from Nebraska, showed me this method years back and I use it often. Every portion of the season offers familiar yet distinct experiences. Seeing someone use a call, explaining the process and hearing the resulting sound usually helps neophyte calls connect the dots better. These seasons offer generous bag limits and focus on resident birds. Also, plastic sleds or rickshaw-type carts can help you tote decoys to and from fields. Honkers typically start to migrate in late summer or early fall, but many hardy birds stay well into winter in Northern areas if open water and sufficient food remain. What is the grind??? In fact, you can take quite a few geese incidentally while duck hunting, simply via pass-shooting or using a goose call to lure birds closer (more on this later). Possession of more than six birds per day is prohibited during these seasons. If there is snow on the ground, I also like to 'root up' some dirt or stalks among the decoys with my boot to make it appear as if birds have been actively feeding." Know where you are and who owns what are the 2 more important aspects of scouting. Hunting hours for all migratory birds, including Canada geese, close at sunset on youth waterfowl days. Cover as much real estate as you can and make your spread look as big as possible. We asked a dozen of the nation's most accomplished goose hunters to share their secrets to success. No sinking on every step like flooded corn (did I mention its exhausting?). Ducks Unlimited reported that some biologists now believe the lesser snow goose population exceeds 15 million (compared to about 1.5 million Rosss geese and 1 million greater snow geese.) One of the golden rules is that if you can see the geese, they can see you better; so keep still and don't move. Westerholm from Nebraska, showed me this method years back and I use it often. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; And dont forget about electronic calls that spit out recorded light-goose vocalizations for conservation-order hunting. This used to be a secret, but thats long gone. That simple formula, however, assumes many forms. Read the Article MyFWP Have you set up your MyFWP account? And I didnt include silhouettes for a reason, as I just dont ever use them. Some folks lease consistently productive fields from landowners, and that can be a good option. Well, if youve never been on a week-long snow goose hunting trip, it has to be one of the most tiring vacations youll ever experience. The weather is getting cooler, and the geese are starting to fly south. Full bodies are nice to have if you have deep pockets, a BIG trailer, and lots of time to set up. Try to set up early in the morning, and then wait for geese to start filtering in as they leave fields. And when those blind doors open, the birds start back peddling rapidly. Ammunition Supply. Much of that depends on the situation. Hunting licenses are $25 and the base license is $12. Often, thats the easiest way to determine your X. Normally, you want a medium-sized pond (maybe around 2-4 acres I like best). I have seen them migrate into the wind, especially when they get caught in the weather, but more often than not they will ride the wind during a migration. The northeast corner of the state is home to the primary hunting zones for New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. I feel giving them a natural, resting spread works best for these situations. Geese will normally key in on the very top of the spread. You must have a valid hunting license to hunt geese during any of these periods. Canada geese have relatively small broods of two to eight goslings. Blind Bag. They usually feed out the middle first, then work along the edges until they move onto the next field. In addition to a base license, all waterfowl hunters age 16 and older are required to purchase a Michigan waterfowl hunting license ($12) and a Federal Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp* ($25) . Hunting from a Boat Many states now offer early season Canada goose hunting opportunities. Basically, these are just hunks of plastic or fabric cloth you can drape over stubble or sometimes turn into a windsock decoy to resemble feeding geese. You can also hunt geese on larger waters that serve as roosts. Stout, heavy loads of relatively large shot work best for geese, especially big honkers. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; With a realistic spread complete, youre ready to finish painting the scenario with calling. Later in autumn, as bean and corn harvests progress, geese switch to those fields. Yup, I said it. They all work! Hunters can acquire additional permits on a first-come, first-served basis beginning at 8:00 a.m. on October 1st. Some birds return to their roost water to loaf and get a drink, but many use smaller waters marshes, potholes, stock dams or even wide areas in rivers for loafing. For smaller birds like teal and widgeon, a small caliber shotgun with light loads is usually sufficient. Even small Canada geese have a four-foot wingspan; big birds up to six feet. Hard-hunted geese do not. For field hunting, youll want a good selection of full-bodied decoys. Some folks go with 3.5-inch-chambered models to accommodate those larger shells, but 3- or even 2-3/4-inch-chambered guns work just fine. You must register with the Harvest Information Program (HIP) if you are hunting any migratory game bird, except crows. Usually, youll hide most of your gun in a blind or under cover, anyway. Cover as much real estate as you can with your decoys and it will stick out. Wheat, rye, oats, barley, peas and other small grains attract birds, so it usually pays to start your search there. Do you take the easy birds or wait for the home run? Tim Grounds, Johnston City, Illinois, "When 'running traffic' for Canada geese, I like to set up land-and-water spreads whenever I can. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "flywa-20"; So with that being said, here is how I approach hunting snow geese in the fall. The Hunting Licenses page can be found here. Geese lock into these areas because they feel safe and secure there. Think about itmost hunters place a decoy, then take a few steps and place another, etc. I would choose one acrylic short-reed goose call that produces a very loud, sharp, and somewhat high-pitched tone for field and windy day calling. Youll probably want to avoid that field and see where theyre moving into next instead. Dec. 5 - Feb. 12. However, you can also take quite a few geese over water. With that being said, put most of your motion right behind you or right in front of you (or a combo of both)at the top of the spread. I usually use flags to help draw them towards us, and to provide additional realistic movement in the spread. Calls: 6-in-1 Whistle, Double-Reed Duck Call, Electronic Caller, Mouth Calls, Short-Reed Goose Call, Duck Call. The first geese you see are the breeders, the adults, the toughest to decoy. I wont waste time talking about those that didnt work. Clones basically mimic a flying goose, and when you use a bunch of them together they can work pretty darn well. We hope that our guide helps give readers some ideas and inspiration as they prepare for their next hunting trip. Points, islands and shorelines near travel routes also work well. amzn_assoc_asins = "B00280OOE8"; If you want to hunt in the Western Zone, you must purchase a Western Hunting License. Your blind should be dull and drab much like a harvested ag field. The bottom line? Black is not a good choice as your primary color because it will blend into shadows and may not stand out to the sharp eye of a goose. Ive never seen anything close in nature. Well duck and hide among the 4-5 thousand decoys in the white suit style hunts, which are very different. They start to mill about as the sun rises and then typically fly to a feeding area usually a field at some point in the morning. Duck Strap. We didnt include this in the light-goose group because you might never see an emperor. Dead goose. They have a bit of gamey taste that turns off a lot of people. Seriously. Check your state's waterfowl hunting regulations for details. That doesn't mean you have to call more, but when you do call, use aggressive notes and blow them with a lot of volume." Some states require a special license for waterfowl hunting, while others do not. Before you put gas in your truck to scout, you should understand a few simple concepts of how snow geese feed and live. If you get geese to come in very close you can use 2 shot or BB. Regardless, snow goose hunting is now a fall, winter and spring affair, with spring seasons attracting lots of attention from waterfowlers with few other hunting options at that time. Scientists generally agree that the birds have benefited from increased agriculture in their migration routes and wintering habitat, supplying them with almost unlimited food, which has led to better survival and reproductive productivity. These are what you need to hunt Xs on the go. I feel guys are so hung up on buying the latest and greatest decoys that they overlook the basics, at times. I typically leave a small handful of fullbodies on bases to represent birds that may be walking or birds that may have just landed. 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