Hunting Snow Geese In Spring – Best Season For Hunters
July 30th, 2009 | by admin |
While fall is typically the season associated with goose, there are some major benefits to getting a crack at the snow goose earlier in the season. The weather and migration can add a whole new level of excitement and challenge to the spring snow goose hunt.
While a spring season isn’t available in every state, in the more northern reaches it is a popular occurrence. In some states, such as North Dakota, between the two seasons, snow goose hunting is available for six months of the year. For the hunter looking to get some practice in for the fall season, the spring can be a great time to get out in the field. For many states it is the first hunting season of the year, with opening day typically in mid-February. Knowing the bird’s migration patterns and climate will greatly influence a hunt; the snow geese follow the melting snow line pretty consistently. Hunting the snow goose is ideal where there is still snow on the ground, but also many patches of ground available; this will allow the hunter to better blend in with surroundings.
For the best chance at a successful season, the hunter should watch the weather forecasts in his region. While a hunter may expect to be seeing the geese in the next few days, a large spring storm may blow through to the south and the geese may be held up for a while. It’s also really important for a hunter to scout the area he’ll be hunting. Since spring goose hunting is often a messy sport with wet and muddy ground, a hunter should know the roads he’ll be taking and the field he’ll be sitting in. Any pre-dawn mishaps such as a vehicle getting stuck could ruin the entire day’s hunt.
Another factor that should be considered with spring snow goose season is the fact that these geese have been hunted in the fall and the winter in the southern states. They will be very weary of decoys and calls as that’s what they’ve just came from. It may be a good idea to avoid the use to these two items so as not to turn the flock away; sitting and waiting the old fashioned way may be the best idea for these spring birds. Since open dates and bag limits change from year to year, be sure to check local rules and regulations of the area you’ll be hunting.
By: Abhishek Agarwal
While a spring season isn’t available in every state, in the more northern reaches it is a popular occurrence. In some states, such as North Dakota, between the two seasons, snow goose hunting is available for six months of the year. For the hunter looking to get some practice in for the fall season, the spring can be a great time to get out in the field. For many states it is the first hunting season of the year, with opening day typically in mid-February. Knowing the bird’s migration patterns and climate will greatly influence a hunt; the snow geese follow the melting snow line pretty consistently. Hunting the snow goose is ideal where there is still snow on the ground, but also many patches of ground available; this will allow the hunter to better blend in with surroundings.
For the best chance at a successful season, the hunter should watch the weather forecasts in his region. While a hunter may expect to be seeing the geese in the next few days, a large spring storm may blow through to the south and the geese may be held up for a while. It’s also really important for a hunter to scout the area he’ll be hunting. Since spring goose hunting is often a messy sport with wet and muddy ground, a hunter should know the roads he’ll be taking and the field he’ll be sitting in. Any pre-dawn mishaps such as a vehicle getting stuck could ruin the entire day’s hunt.
Another factor that should be considered with spring snow goose season is the fact that these geese have been hunted in the fall and the winter in the southern states. They will be very weary of decoys and calls as that’s what they’ve just came from. It may be a good idea to avoid the use to these two items so as not to turn the flock away; sitting and waiting the old fashioned way may be the best idea for these spring birds. Since open dates and bag limits change from year to year, be sure to check local rules and regulations of the area you’ll be hunting.
By: Abhishek Agarwal