Another round of arctic storms in the Central and Mississippi Flyways pushed geese south again over the past week, as the light goose migration progresses in a two-steps-forward, one-step-back fashion. Light goose numbers that soared to over 1-million birds at Squaw Creek two weeks ago, has dropped to 500,000 according to the current survey.
Hello, folks, and as always, welcome to Waterfowler.com.
Unless you participate in spring snow goose hunting, there is very little reason to rejoice over the recent round of late winter storms. While your average citizen would welcome the spring thaw with open arms, snow goose hunters are dancing in the streets and enjoying the opportunities provided by the recent arctic weather.
It is a rare occasion when snow geese suspend their northerly migration and retreat. Just as hunters in the south central portions of the flyway hung up their hats for the season, the geese returned.
A glance at the Snow Depth Map (link at right) reveals that the snow-free gap that existed in the western Dakotas and Nebraska is now blanketed in snow. What appeared to be a funneled escape route to northern breeding grounds just over a week ago, has now become a migration barrier that will provide extended hunting opportunities.
Mid-Continental light geese traditionally return to their breeding grounds in Canada during the first few weeks of April. If they are to stay on schedule, a furious spring will have to occur in the next few weeks. Until that happens, spring hunters can enjoy the nasty, brutal, icy cold weather that continues to provide some of the best waterfowl hunting action a goose hunter could hope for.
CENTRAL & MISSISSIPPI FLYWAYS:
Light geese are present in good numbers along a line from the Texas Panhandle to Southern Illinois. In Nebraska and Northern Missouri, Light goose numbers dropped significantly over the past week as winter storms drove the birds south. Scouting and access is the key to hunter success. Hunters willing to locate geese and gain access to active feeding fields are reaping the harvest. Hunters “running traffic” (hunting in a field near active fly zones) are working hard for the few birds they are taking.
ATLANTIC FLYWAY:
Light-goose hunting remains good to excellent in New Jersey, with hunter success steady compared to previous weeks. Snow goose numbers have dropped significantly over the past week in Maryland and Delaware. Hunters and guide services throughout the New England states continue to enjoy the benefits of their first spring season. While hunting opportunity is reduced as the geese push north, the excitement of the first spring season in the Atlantic Flyway lingers on and the popularity in the east is expected to grow each year as it did in the Central and Mississippi Flyways.
Until our next report, enjoy the extended wintery weather and hunting opportunity it provides.
